Prevalence, Complications, and Hospital Charges Associated With Use of Bone-Morphogenetic Proteins in Spinal Fusion Procedures
Kevin S. Cahill, MD, PhD, MPH; John H. Chi, MD, MPH; Arthur Day, MD; Elizabeth B. Claus, MD, PhD
Context: No national data exist to examine use of bone-morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) in spinal fusion surgery.
Objective: To determine the patterns of use and rates of complications and financial charges associated with BMP use in spinal fusion nationally.
Design, Setting, and Patients: Retrospective cohort study of 328 468 patients undergoing spinal fusion procedures from 2002-2006 identified from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample database, a 20% sample of US community hospitals.
Main Outcome Measures: The rates of use of BMP among patients undergoing spinal fusion procedures are examined along with complications, length of stay, and hospital charges associated with use of this fusion adjunct.
