ACTIFUSE FLOW syringe vs ACTIFUSE MIS delivery system?
Which ACTIFUSE fits your MIS TLIF? A practical guide for Allegheny Health Network spine teams.
Your next case is an MIS TLIF at Allegheny Health Network. The portal is tight, the angles are awkward, and you need bone graft to flow without clogging the cannula. ACTIFUSE FLOW comes in a syringe for contained defects. ACTIFUSE MIS reaches farther with controlled placement. You're deciding which to have open on the back table.
The choice between FLOW and MIS comes down to reach and control. FLOW is a syringe. It pushes graft through a small tip. That works when the defect is close and contained. But in an MIS TLIF, the cage and endplates sit at a distance from your skin. A syringe may not reach without bending the tip or forcing the graft. ACTIFUSE MIS is a delivery system with longer cannulas and a controlled plunger. It puts the graft where you aim, not just where the syringe tip lands.
Cost depends on the case mix and your facility's contract. The MIS delivery system often costs more per unit because it includes longer cannulas and a controlled handle. The FLOW syringe is less expensive for a straightforward fill. But if a syringe clogs mid-case and you have to switch, the cheaper option costs you operating room time. Your product representative can give exact numbers based on your usage.
This week, pull up your next MIS TLIF and decide which graft delivery system you need before the patient is prepped. If the defect is small and close, ACTIFUSE FLOW is fine. If you need to reach the far side of the disc space, have ACTIFUSE MIS open on the table. Call Elite Surgical for an in-service or a quick side-by-side demo. The rep can bring both systems to your Allegheny Health Network OR so you can feel the difference.
Once you know which ACTIFUSE fits the case, the graft goes in without a fight. No clogged syringe, no wasted time, no bending the tip to make it work. You close and move to the next patient. The bone graft sets up like it should. Your Allegheny Health Network patient gets a fusion that has real evidence behind it.
Other things people in Allegheny Health Network ask
bone graft harvest site pain alternatives
Stop harvesting from the iliac crest. A synthetic bone graft substitute like ACTIFUSE removes the second surgical site entirely. No harvest means no donor site pain, no extra scar, and one less thing to manage post-op. The fusion rates are the same without the extra morbidity.
bone graft substitute for smokers spine fusion
Look for a synthetic graft with published fusion data in high-risk patients. ACTIFUSE has a 93% fusion rate in an independent spine study, comparable to BMP-2, without the need to harvest hip bone. Discuss smoking cessation, but choose a graft that has shown strong results even when patient compliance is imperfect.
cost of bone graft substitute per level spine fusion
Calculate the all-in cost: graft price, OR time for harvest, donor site pain management, and readmissions for nonunion. A synthetic graft like ACTIFUSE often costs more up front but eliminates harvest-related expenses. Ask your rep for a cost-per-fusion analysis that includes complication avoidance.
bone graft substitute migration spine fusion
Small amounts of graft migration outside the intended area are common and often do not harm the fusion. If the graft is far from the fusion site or compressing a nerve, revision may be needed. Check the CT carefully for any contact with neural structures. If there are no symptoms and the bulk of graft is in place, monitor the fusion progress on the next scan.
best bone graft substitute for multilevel spine fusion
Look for a graft with clinical data in multilevel fusions. A synthetic graft with a high published fusion rate, like ACTIFUSE (93% in a large series), can be a strong choice. Avoid grafts that rely on the patient's own bone growth factors if the patient is a smoker or has poor biology. Consider a moldable form to cover the long fusion bed evenly.
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Elite Surgical handles spine fusion in Allegheny Health Network and the area around it.