Effect of autologous platelet gel on early and late graft fusion in anterior cervical spine surgery

50 patients (81 disc levels) undergoing anterior cervical surgery were randomized to treatment with or without platelet concentrate, in order to determine whether the autologous platelet gel was effective in promoting early fusion. Following assessments over a 2 year period, results indicated that when patients were grouped together based on surgical indication, fusion rates at 12 weeks were significantly higher in patients with degenerative disc disease in the Platelet Gel group, compared to those in the Control group. However, this was not the case for patients with herniated discs; it was the Control group who had significantly higher fusion rates at both 6 and 12 weeks, in comparison to the Platelet Gel group for this patient population.