An Outcome Comparison of Posterolateral Fusion Using Either Iliac Crest Autograft or Local Bone Graft: a Minimum 2-yearFollow-up

Autogenous iliac crest bone graft has been the gold standard for use in posterolateral spinal fusions despite a high incidence of morbidity associated with the harvesting process. Minor complications including increased blood loss, increased hospital stay, and superficial infections have been reported to occur in 9.4% to 25% of cases. Major complications such as deep infection, fracture of the ileum, chronic pain, abdominal herniation, and unsightly scarring have occurred in 0.7% to 25% of cases (1,2,3,5). The current study investigates the efficacy of using local bone graft in posterolateral spinal fusion. It is a less invasive technique comprised of harvesting spinous processes, lamina, and decorticated transverse processes of exposed vertebral segments during surgery. The purpose of this study is to determine if the fusion rates for lumbar surgery are different with the use of autogenous local bone graft as compared to lumbar fusions with autogenous iliac crest bone grafting, and to determine if iliac crest bone grafting is necessary for all lumbar fusions.