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Assessment of Bone Growth Stimulator Is Mixed

"If there are risk factors or it's a revision surgery, then use it. But, you really need to have a good reason to use it."

Cammisa also pointed out that the study did not find shorter lengths of stay for procedures with BMP and did not look at outpatient complications, which he said might be increased.

"I think [this study] serves as an impetus for surgeons to look for less expensive, but efficacious, bone growth factors other than BMP," he said. Also, Cammisa said, he'd like to see specific guidelines developed for the use of BMP.

Burton, who said the study "highlights the trend that many of us would have guessed, that the use of BMP is skyrocketing," added that more recent data might show something different.

If the study looked at data from 2007, he said, he believes the rates of anterior cervical complications would be reduced because many surgeons aren't using BMP for fusions in that area or are using smaller doses of the biological agent.

The surgeons agreed that more research is needed to determine who is an ideal candidate for BMP use and to assess the costs and benefits of the therapy.

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Pat Elliott

Bones & Joints Guide