Application of rhBMP in spinal fusion surgery: any correlation of cancer incidence? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: Safety concerns regarding the application of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) have been highlighted in recent years. It is noted that both BMP and their receptors being identified as a trigger for cancer growth. Here, we aimed to determine the safety and efficacy of BMP for spinal fusion surgery. METHODS: We conducted this systematic review on topics of spinal fusion surgery with rhBMP application from three database (PubMed, EuropePMC, and Clinicaltrials.gov) with MeSH phrases such as "rh-BMP," "rhBMP," "spine surgery," "spinal arthrodesis," and "spinal fusion" were searched (using the Boolean operators "and" and "or"). Our research includes all articles, as long as published in English language. In the face of disagreement between the two reviewers, we discussed it together until all authors reached a consensus. The primary key outcome of our study is the incidence of cancer following rhBMP implantation. RESULTS: Our study included a total of 8 unique studies (n = 37,682). The mean follow-up varies among all studies, with the longest follow-up is 66 months. Our meta-analysis showed that exposure to rhBMP in spinal surgery did increase the risk of cancers (RR 1.85, 95%CI [1.05, 3.24], p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Our study found that rhBMP was not associated with the increased risk of cancer incidence within the rhBMP cohort. Still, we did face several limitations, in which further studies are needed to confirm the result of our meta-analysis.

A case report of percutaneous endoscopic debridement for treating lumbar tuberculous spondylitis with large psoas abscess.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Spondylitis tuberculosis is a spinal infection characterized by bone destruction, fracture, abscess, and resulting in deformity (kyphosis and gibbus formation). Therefore, early diagnosis and management of spondylitis tuberculosis have special importance in preventing complications. Surgery is reserved for progressive deformity or where the neurological deficit is not improved by anti-tubercular treatment. The spine can be approached anteriorly or posteriorly in a minimally invasive way. We reviewed the evaluation of clinical outcome, laboratory findings, and radiological post-minimal invasive endoscopic debridement in spinal tuberculosis with psoas abscess. CASE PRESENTATION: We collected data from two patients, a 24 years-old female and 27 years-old male, who was diagnosed with spondylitis tuberculosis with psoas abscess based on the history, physical, and supportive examination. Patients were given chemotherapy antituberculosis agents and performed percutaneous endoscopic debridement. The outcome was measured by clinical signs, laboratory findings, and radiology evaluation. DISCUSSION: Patients had pre-operative symptoms of unremitting lower back and thigh pain, febrile sensation, signs of paravertebral muscle tenderness, and limitation of spine motion. Post percutaneous endoscopic debridement, patients showed good response with clinical improvement seen from significant reduction of pain, paravertebral muscle tenderness, increasing spinal motion, laboratory improvement with a decline of ESR and CRP value, and radiology findings improvement with resorption of psoas abscess. No complications were found. CONCLUSION: Treatment of spondylitis tuberculosis remains controversial regarding optimal use of antituberculosis drugs and the approach used for surgical decompression. Patients had immediate pain relief and reduced disability in treating spinal tuberculosis after percutaneous endoscopic debridement.

Neglected acetabular fracture: Fix or replace?

INTRODUCTION: Operative treatment of acute acetabular fractures has shown better results than the non-operative approach. There is, however, limited data regarding the operative treatment of neglected acetabular fracture. METHODS: We present six subjects with neglected fracture of the acetabulum in Cipto Mangunkusumo National Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia. One had only open reduction and internal fixation, three had open reduction and internal fixation first before we performed arthroplasty later, one had both open reduction and internal fixation with arthroplasty, and another had immediate arthroplasty. RESULTS: Our subjects were 4 males and 2 females with the average age of 41.1 years and the average neglect period was 18 months. In four of our subjects, the fractures had posterior wall involvement, one had an anterior column-posterior hemitransverse fracture, and the last one had transverse fracture. All fractures were classified to either Elementary or Associated type according to the Letournel classification. We observed all subjects up to eighteen months post-operatively. One subject had poor outcome, four subjects had fair outcome, and one subject had excellent outcome according to the Harris Hip Score. CONCLUSION: Even in neglected acetabular fracture, open reduction and internal fixation where possible should be attempted to restore the anatomical relationship to facilitate immediate or late total hip arthroplasty. Surgical treatment of such fractures should be based on individual case characteristics, which includes age, associated comorbidity, neglect period, as well as the type and union state of the fracture for a better outcome. Neglected Associated acetabular fracture types are more difficult to reduce and have poorer outcome compared to Elementary types. Likewise, malunited acetabular fractures are more difficult to operate on than non-united neglected acetabular fractures, where reduction is relatively easier.