Thesis (Ph.D.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Medicine - Department of Neurosurgery

Study design: Prospective randomized comparative study. Methods: Standard open interbody cage fusion surgery was performed on 45 patients, randomized in 3 groups, an inter-body fusion cage and local bone were used in 15 patients (control group) and an inter-body fusion cage, local bone, and PRP were used in 15 patients (PRP group) and an inter-body fusion cage, local bone, and PRP were used in 15 patients (PRF group) PRP and PRF was prepared from the patients{u2019} blood samples immediately before surgery. Clinical improvement of lower back pain, leg pain was evaluated using the visual analog scale preoperatively and at 3, 6, 12-months. Primary radiological outcome parameters were implant stability and fusion status assessed by x-ray after 3-months postoperative and computed tomography (CT) scans at 6 months and 12-months post operatively. Patients, surgeons, and post surgery analysis were blinded. Results: Our study concluded that both PRF and PRP increase the rate of fusion when combined with Lumbar interbody with improvement of the clinical course, however this results were not statistically significant due to the relatively small sample size with short-term follow-up. Conclusion: The use of growth factors in spinal fusion is a promising area. The current technique may encourage the surgeon to apply it as a standard technique for spinal fusion

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