BMP's Use in Spine Surgery Today

Dr. Burkus: Spinal fusion surgeries involving the cervical spine (neck), and the lumbar spine (low back) are currently being studied with the use of rhBMP-2 or InFUSE™ bone graft. The use of rhBMP-2 has been found to be safe and effective as a bone graft replacement in anterior lumbar spinal fusions. This technology is being evaluated for additional applications in ongoing clinical trials for use in the neck and low back.

SpineUniverse: Before BMP, how would you treat these cases? And what were the results like? How quickly did patients fuse? Did they all fuse?

Dr. Burkus: Prior to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) approval of rhBMP-2, all spinal fusions required the use of autogenous iliac crest bone graft. Harvesting bone from the patient represented the gold standard in spinal fusion surgery. Other products are available to help augment the patient's own bone graft. However, none of these products worked as well as the patient's own bone graft. RhBMP-2 is the first FDA approved product that has shown itself to be superior to autogenous bone graft in spinal fusions.

Dr. Burkus: I am using rhBMP-2 in anterior and posterior lumbar spinal fusion surgeries. These surgical procedures have been significantly changed. The use of rhBMP-2 enables me as a surgeon to complete the surgery in a shorter amount of time and with less blood loss. Patients postoperatively have an easier time getting out of bed, ambulating and returning to activities of daily living including returning to work.

SpineUniverse: What have the results been with your BMP patients?

Dr. Burkus: Patients treated with rhBMP-2 have experienced less blood loss, shorter hospital stays and shorter operating room times. No patients receiving rhBMP-2 have required a postoperative transfusion. They, of course, have no complaints of bone graft site pain. They are able to return to work earlier.

SpineUniverse: Are there any complications or side-effects patients should be aware of?

Dr. Burkus: No adverse events have been linked to the use of rhBMP-2.

SpineUniverse: In summary, what do you see the main benefits of BMP to be?

Dr. Burkus: The primary benefits of rhBMP-2 are complete elimination of bone graft site harvesting pain and complications, less blood loss during surgery and after surgery, shorter hospital stays, earlier mobilization and return normal activities including work.

SpineUniverse: Dr. Burkus, thank you for your time and comments.

Dr. Burkus: You are welcome.

rhBMP-2 has recently received clearance from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for specific uses. Consult your surgeon to learn if you are a candidate.