ACTIFUSE FLOW vs ACTIFUSE MIS for your MIS fusion?
For the narrow cannula in your MIS TLIF, here is the straight answer. Spine fusion support in Cincinnati Children’s, OH.
You are scheduled for an MIS TLIF in Cincinnati Children’s. The cannula is narrow. You need a bone graft that reaches the far corner without clogging. The choice is ACTIFUSE FLOW in a syringe or ACTIFUSE MIS with a longer delivery system. This decision happens before the case starts, and the wrong pick can mean switching mid-procedure.
ACTIFUSE FLOW comes in a syringe. It gives precise, low-pressure delivery into tight bony spaces. ACTIFUSE MIS is a purpose-built delivery system for minimally invasive spine and orthopedic procedures. It has a longer reach and controlled placement. When you work through a small portal, the far corner is hard to see and harder to fill. That is the core difference. In a narrow cannula, a syringe tip may not reach where you need it. The MIS tip is longer and angled for that.
Both use the same ACTIFUSE bone graft. The fusion evidence does not change: 93% fusion across 694 patients, same as BMP-2, no bone taken from the hip. The difference is setup time and reach. FLOW is faster for a contained defect close to the cannula tip. MIS adds seconds of setup but gives you more control farther away. Cost is usually similar per case. It depends on how far the graft must travel and how tight the access is.
This week, look at the defect before you choose. If you are filling a contained space close to the cannula tip, open FLOW. If you have to fill a far corner through a small portal, use MIS. Elite Surgical can walk you through each delivery system in a short in-service before your next Cincinnati Children’s case. Set that up before you book the room.
Once you match the delivery system to the access, the graft goes where you intend it. You do not stop mid-case to swap. The fusion bed gets complete fill in the posterolateral gutters. Your patient leaves with the same ACTIFUSE record: 93% fusion, no hip bone harvest, and less reported back pain than BMP-2 in the randomized trial.
Other things people in Cincinnati Children’s 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 Cincinnati Children’s and the area around it.