OBJECTIVE: To evaluate quality and rate of pseudoarthrosis in callus formation in instrumented posterolateral lumbar fusion with the use of autologous bone graft enriched with platelet growth factors (PGFs). METHODS: A clinical analytical experimental single blind trial was carried out between June 2007 and June 2009 comparing two groups, one in which PGFs were used in lumbar spinal fusions while in the other the PGFs were not applied, to analyze the following variables: rate of pseudoarthrosis, callus formation and postoperative complications. RESULTS: We evaluated 26 patients, mean age 61.23 years, divided in two groups of 13 patients each. The group in which PGFs were used presented radiographically solid fusions at 61.54% with no record of pseudoarthrosis, although with incidence of infection and postoperative bleeding of 15.39%, while in the group without PGFs 69.23% achieved solid fusions presenting a rate of pseudoarthrosis of 7.69% with no other complications related to the intervention. CONCLUSION: Even though the group without PGFs did not present pseudoarthrosis, a higher incidence of postoperative complications and fewer radiographically solid fusions could be observed. Even though the number of patients is not sufficient to obtain statistically significant results, the present analysis may be the beginning of further study.
Platelet-derived growth factor; Arthrodesis; Pseudarthrosis
