Biological Products Show Promise, but More Evidence Is Needed (NASS)
The use of biological products in spine treatments is increasing, but more reliable data about their use are needed, according to a series of presentations during the NASS Annual Meeting's final session, Biologics: A Critical Review of the Evidence.
During the November 5 symposium, six speakers discussed the need for more evidence about biologics, reviewed the level of evidence and examined biological materials, including demineralized bone matrix (DBM) and allograft stem cells.
The Need for Evidence
About 200,000 spinal fusions requiring biologic products are performed each year in the United States. Product choices are abundant, but the information about them is not.
"The biological products to choose from are plentiful. The decision as to what to use is significantly limited by the amount of evidence we have," said Wellington K. Hsu, MD, Assistant Professor and Director of the Spine Fellowship at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago.
An increase in spine procedures has created a shortage of cadaver allograft material and stimulated corporate interest in developing bone-graft subst...
