Clinical evaluation of a growth factor bioavailability enhanced allograft in anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF).

Background: Interbody fusion, especially anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF), is a common treatment for spinal conditions like degenerative disc disease (DDD). Various graft materials, including autografts, allografts, and synthetic substitutes, are used to facilitate fusion, though each has limitations. A novel growth factor bioavailability-enhanced allograft (GFBA) has been introduced, which aims to enhance fusion outcomes by unlocking critical growth factors in the bone matrix. Methods: Consecutive patients who received treatment with GFBA at a single site between January 2022 and December 2022 were invited to participate prior to 12 months postoperative assessment. Those who consented were evaluated prospectively by computed tomography (CT), flexion extension X-ray, and completed questionnaires regarding pain and disability. Results: Fifty patients (64 treated levels), with a mean age of 61.5 years old, 62.0% female, and a mean body mass index (BMI) of 31.0 kg/m Conclusions: This study evaluated a novel GFBA and reported similar fusion rates to published reports of iliac crest bone graft (ICBG). Significant clinical improvements and no GFBA related complications or revision/reoperations were reported. This is the first study evaluating GFBA and demonstrated its safety and efficacy in ALIF procedures for DDD.