Granular bone grafting in the posterior lumbar fusion：a randomized controlled study

Wang Shi-hai; Liu Meng-jun; Wei Xin-wei; Wang Song; Chen Zhi-xin

doi:10.3969/j.issn.2095-4344

Abstract：BACKGROUND:Clinical usage of fusion cage for interbody fusion can reduce lumbar pain of patients with lumbar spinal stenosis, relieve nerve compression, and enhance the stability of the spine, but the limited long-term efficacy and high cost of treatment are two problems to be solved. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the therapeutic effect of the granular bone grafting in the posterior lumbar fusion operation. METHODS:Fifty-seven patients with L3-S1 lumbar spinal stenosis were randomly assigned into two groups: pedicle screw+granular bone to suppress interbody fusion in 27 patients (observation group) and interbody fusion cage for interbody fusion in 30 patients (control group). Visual analog scale score, Oswestry disability index, hospitalization expenses and the bed activity time were compared between the two groups before treatment, 1 month after treatment and at the last folow-up. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:There were no differences in the visual analog scale score and Oswestry disability index between the two groups before treatment, but at 1 month after treatment and at the last folow-up, these two scores were significantly lower in the observation group than the control group (P < 0.05). The hospitalization expenses were significantly lower in the observation group than the control group (P < 0.05), and no difference was found in term of postoperative bed activity time between the two groups. Granular bone grafting combined with pedicle screw fixation in the posterior lumbar fusion operation has reliable effects on reducing pain <br> and promoting the functional recovery of the lumbar vertebra with low cost.