ACTIFUSE FLOW vs ACTIFUSE MIS for MIS spine fusion?
A direct comparison for surgeons in IU Health, IN, doing minimally invasive TLIF.
You are doing an MIS TLIF at IU Health. You need bone graft that flows through a narrow cannula without clogging. You are not sure whether ACTIFUSE FLOW or ACTIFUSE MIS is the right pick.
ACTIFUSE FLOW comes in a syringe. It gives you precise, low-pressure delivery into tight bony spaces. It works fast for contained defects. If your fusion site is close and straightforward, FLOW is the simpler choice.
ACTIFUSE MIS is a purpose-built system for minimally invasive procedures. It has a longer, angled tip for controlled placement. If you need to reach a far corner through a small portal, MIS gives you more reach and feel. The extra length and control matter when visibility is low and the space is tight.
Ask your Elite Surgical rep to bring both to the OR. Try each one on the bench before you drape. See which hand you trust for your next TLIF. The right tool is the one that makes your technique feel smooth.
Once you settle on the delivery system that fits your approach, you get a graft with 93% fusion rates in independent review, less back pain than BMP-2, and no hip harvest. Your patient wakes up without donor site pain.
Other things people in IU Health 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 IU Health and the area around it.