Anterior Cervical Corpectomy and Fusion Using a Synthetic Hydroxyapatite Graft for Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament.

The significant complication rate associated with harvesting autologous iliac bone or fibula has encouraged development of alternative graft substitutes. In this study, the authors investigated the efficacy and safety of synthetic porous hydroxyapatite (HA) combined with local vertebral bone graft for use in anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF) for the treatment of patients with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL). Since 2006, twenty-five OPLL patients underwent ACCF using HA blocks (HA group). Hydroxyapatite blocks with 40% porosity were used for the 1-level ACCFs, and HA blocks with 15% porosity were used for the 2-level ACCFs. Clinical and radiological evaluation was performed with a minimum of 2-year follow-up. Outcomes were compared with those of 25 OPLL patients who underwent ACCFs using auto-fibula grafts at the authors' institution before 2006 (FBG group). Patients' demographic data were similar in the HA and FBG groups. Both groups demonstrated significant neurological improvements postoperatively. No difference was observed in operating time, whereas the intraoperative blood loss was significantly less in the HA group. The fusion rates in the HA group were comparable to those in the FBG group. The incidences of general complications were similar in the 2 groups; however, prolonged donor-site pain was observed in 9 (36.0%) cases in the FBG group. Based on the results of this study, ACCF using HA is a safe and efficacious method for the treatment of patients with OPLL as an alternative to conventional ACCF using autologous fibula bone grafting. [Orthopedics. 2017; 40(2):e334-e339.].