The perioperative cost of Infuse bone graft in posterolateral lumbar spine fusion

This report has been verified by one or more authors of the original publication.

102 patients, over 60 years old, scheduled to undergo an instrumented posterolateral lumbar spine fusion were randomized to receive recombinant bone morphogenetic protein rhBMP-2/ACS or Iliac crest bone graft (ICBG) during the procedure. The use of BMP is a significant cost burden to the patient and hospital. However, upon meticulous calculation of the aggregate cost in the 3 month period after surgery, it was observed that with the utilization of rhBMP, a net savings of $3367 was calculated, primarily due to reduced expenditure on inpatient rehabilitation, decreased hospital reimbursement, physician costs and other outpatient services rendered.