A Retrospective Analysis of Complications Associated With Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 in Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review. OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to quantify the frequency of complications associated with recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 2 (rhBMP-2) use in anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF). METHODS: The orthopedic subset of the Medicare database (PearlDiver) was queried for this retrospective cohort study using International Statistical Classification of Diseases 9 (ICD-9) and Current Procedure Terminology (CPT) codes for ALIF procedures with and without rhBMP-2 between 2005 and 2010. Frequencies of complications and reoperations were then identified within 1 year from the index procedure. Complications included reoperations, pulmonary embolus, deep vein thrombosis, myocardial infarction, nerve-related complications, incision and drainage procedures, wound, sepsis, pneumonia, urinary tract infections, respiratory, heterotopic ossification, retrograde ejaculation, radiculopathy, and other medical complications. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to assess the statistical significance. RESULTS: We identified a total of 41 865 patients who had an ALIF procedure. A total of 14 384 patients received rhBMP-2 while 27 481 did not. Overall, 6016 (41.8%) complications within 1 year from surgery were noted within the group who received rhBMP-2 and 12 950 (47.1%) complications within 1 year from surgery were recorded in those who did not receive rhBMP-2 (OR = 0.81, CI = 0.77-0.84). Overall, exposure to rhBMP-2 was associated with significantly decreased odds of complications with exception to reoperation rates (0.9% rhBMP-2 vs 1.0% no rhBMP-2; OR = 0.88, CI = 0.71-1.09) and radiculopathy (4.4% rhBMP-2 vs 4.3% no rhBMP-2; OR = 1.02, CI = 0.93-1.13). CONCLUSIONS: The use of rhBMP-2 in patients undergoing ALIF procedure was associated with a significantly decreased rate of complications. Further studies are needed to elucidate a true incidence of complication.