Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion with Processed Sea Coral (Coralline Hydroxyapatite) as Part of a Circumferential Fusion

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective review of 20 patients undergoing circumferential lumbar fusion with coralline hydroxyapatite blocks anteriorly and autograft with transpedicular or translaminar facet screw fixation posteriorly. OBJECTIVES: To examine the efficacy of coralline hydroxyapatite as a bone graft substitute for anterior lumbar interbody fusion. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Autograft is the gold standard for bone grafting in the anterior lumbar spine. Harvesting bone from the iliac crest leads to significant postoperative pain and morbidity. Femoral ring allograft is a widely used alternative to autograft but has some inherent problems. Coralline hydroxyapatite was shown to be 100% successful for anterior cervical fusion when combined with rigid plating. METHODS: A retrospective review of 20 patients with low back pain and indicated for surgical intervention. A circumferential instrumented fusion was performed with coralline hydroxyapatite blocks anteriorly and transpedicular or translaminar facet fixation and autograft posteriorly. All patients reached a minimum 3-year clinical and radiologic follow-up. RESULTS: Radiographic follow-up yielded a solid arthrodesis rate of 93.8% by level (30 of 32 disc spaces) and 90% by patient (18 of 20). Clinical follow-up generated a mean pain reduction of 61.8% with clinical success demonstrated in 80% (16 of 20) of all patients who reported good or excellent pain relief. Eight of 12 (66.7%) patients employed before surgery returned to work in some capacity. CONCLUSIONS: Coralline hydroxyapatite is a practicable anterior lumbar interbody fusion alternative to autograft and allograft as part of a circumferential fusion with rigid posterior fixation. It is not recommended for stand-alone anterior lumbar interbody fusion without further study.