Osteogenetic ability of calcium sulfate applied in rabbit lumbar spinal fusion model / 中国矫形外科杂志

ABSTRACT

[Objective]To investigate the osteogenetic ability of calcium sulfate applied alone by comparing with that of autograft harvested from ilium crest and discuss the possible osteogenetic mechanism.[Method]A rabbit lumbar posterolateral spinal fusion model was established.The left zygapophyseal joint was implanted with calcium sulfate tablet,and the right with iliac crest bone graft.Radiographic analysis and decalcified histological evaluation were performed.[Result]At 3 weeks,residual calcium sulfate tablet could not be noted by X-ray and CT scan,while autograft can't be seen,histological assessment revealed the degeneration velocity of calcium sulfate was slower than that of autograft.Ingrowth of blood vessel tissue and osteo-blast could be seen in both sides.At 6 weeks,there were no difference between both sides,histological assessment revealed cartilage formation in both sides.At 12 weeks,there was no difference by radiographic and histological assessment between both sides,proliferative bone formation was similar with lumbar body.[Conclusion]Calcium sulfate plays the similar role to iliac crest bone graft when used alone in promoting spinal fusion in rabbit model.Calcium sulfate has good osteo-conductivity,perhaps has osteo-inductivity,so is a good bone graft substitute.