The Use of rhBMP-2 to Achieve Posterior Cervical Fusion Without Internal Fixation: Report of Three Cases in Adults

The use of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) to achieve bony fusion has been reported in conjunction with internal fixation in different locations of the spine. Three cases are presented in which the patients were deemed to have poor quality bone and spinal anatomical abnormalities that prevented the use of traditional fusion methods. Posterior cervical fusion using rh-BMP-2 alone after application of a halo ring and vest was used in these three patients as an alternative method of achieving fusion. To the authors' knowledge, no studies have yet described the use of rh-BMP-2 (INFUSE®) in achieving posterior cervical fusion without internal fixation.