Is bone graft substitute safe for revision surgery?
Evidence-based answers from Elite Surgical, medical equipment supplier for University Hospitals Cleveland, OH.
Your patient at University Hospitals Cleveland is scheduled for a revision spine surgery. The first procedure used a synthetic bone graft substitute like ACTIFUSE. You are asking the same question many surgeons ask at this point: Is it safe to go back in through that grafted area? The short answer is yes. But you need the evidence to move forward.
Your patient received a synthetic bone graft substitute like ACTIFUSE or ALTAPORE. These products are made from silicate-substituted calcium phosphate, which is very similar to human bone. Over months, the body gradually replaces this graft with new, living bone. Some surgeons worry that synthetic grafts form a tough scar layer that complicates revision surgery. But silicate-substituted calcium phosphate does not cause this problem. It remodels into normal bone, so the revision exposure is similar to any other spine case. When you plan a revision, there is no synthetic material left, just natural bone. So you don't need to cut through scar tissue or remove a foreign body. It is completely safe to operate there.
Get a current CT scan to assess the fusion mass. The scan is a routine pre-op step. If additional graft is needed, ACTIFUSE and ALTAPORE are already on contract at University Hospitals Cleveland. Elite Surgical can deliver the product directly to your OR suite. The surgery itself will take no longer than a standard revision because you do not have to clear away old graft. Your patient's insurance covers the cost of the implant as usual. The biggest factor in planning is the quality of the fusion mass on imaging. If the CT shows solid bridging bone, your approach is straightforward. You may only need to add graft to new levels or to a non-union site. The graft is packaged in sizes that fit your implant system, and Elite Surgical will make sure it's there.
Your first step is to call Elite Surgical and request the published clinical data on ACTIFUSE and ALTAPORE in revisions. Then, share your patient's CT scan with your rep. They can help calculate the volume of graft you will need. They come into the OR for the case and assist with the delivery system. So you have expert support from planning through closure. This removes uncertainty and helps you feel prepared.
When the case is done, you will have performed a safe, effective revision. Your patient will recover with no complications from the previous graft. You will have more confidence using synthetic bone graft substitutes in your practice, knowing they are safe for future surgeries. The revision will go smoothly. Your patient will have a solid fusion, and the previous graft site will be indistinguishable from the surrounding spine.
Other things people in University Hospitals Cleveland ask
bone graft substitute not integrating
Poor integration often comes from low porosity or inadequate bioactivity in the graft material. Switch to a silicate-substituted calcium phosphate with 80%+ porosity like ACTIFUSE or ALTAPORE. The enhanced porosity allows better bone ingrowth and vascularization.
autograft vs synthetic bone graft substitute
Modern synthetic bone graft substitutes like ACTIFUSE and ALTAPORE show fusion rates comparable to autograft without donor site morbidity. Synthetics eliminate harvest time and reduce patient pain. Consider synthetic for single-level fusions, combine with autograft for complex cases.
consistent bone graft substitute results
Consistent results need consistent material quality and technique. Use bone graft substitutes with proven fusion rates like ALTAPORE's 86.3% rate. Ensure proper hydration, avoid overpacking, and maintain sterile handling. Elite Surgical provides technique guides for optimal results.
how to choose bone graft substitute spine fusion
Look for porosity above 75%, silicate substitution for bioactivity, and clinical fusion rate data. Check delivery options for your approach - syringe for MIS, moldable for open procedures. Elite Surgical offers multiple ACTIFUSE and ALTAPORE formats for different surgical needs.
bone graft substitute syringe clogging
Clogging usually means the particle size is wrong for the delivery system or the material is too thick. ACTIFUSE FLOW is specifically designed for syringe delivery with consistent particle size. ACTIFUSE MIS offers minimally invasive delivery without clogging issues.
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Elite Surgical handles medical equipment supplier in University Hospitals Cleveland and the area around it.