ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The choice of suitable bone graft substitute is vital for spinal fusion treatment, which can solve some limitations caused by autogenous bone graft and other materials. OBJECTIVE: To investigate properties of different bone graft fusion materials, and to explore their application in dog spinal fusion of lumbar vertebral body. METHODS: Forty-five Chinese rural dogs were enrol ed to prepare lumbar interbody fusion models, and then were randomized into three groups transplanted with autogenous ilium, recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 composite or al ograft ilium, respectively. Afterwards, effects of different materials in the lumbar interbody fusion were analyzed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The fusion rate of the composite group was significantly higher than those of the other groups (P < 0.05). Oswestry dysfunction index of the composite group was significantly lower than those of the other groups after surgery (P < 0.05). Hematoxylin-eosin staining showed that dogs achieved complete bony fusion, continuous bone trabecula gradual y formed, and there was no gap between the transplanted bone and the bone surface in the composite group compared with the other groups at 12 weeks after surgery. These results demonstrate that recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 composites can significantly promote the spinal fusion superior to autologous and al ogeneic bone grafts.