ACTIFUSE FLOW vs ACTIFUSE MIS for MIS spine fusion?
For MIS spine fusion surgeons at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, OH.
You are doing an MIS TLIF. The graft has to flow through a narrow cannula without clogging. You need it to reach the far corner of the disc space through a small portal. You are deciding between the ACTIFUSE FLOW syringe and the ACTIFUSE MIS delivery system at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.
Both ACTIFUSE FLOW and ACTIFUSE MIS use the same bone graft material. Fusion biology is identical. The difference is the delivery tool. FLOW comes in a syringe for direct, low-pressure placement into contained defects. MIS is a purpose-built system with a longer, angled tip. It reaches farther through a small MIS portal without clogging. If your cannula angles sharply, the MIS tip is easier to steer.
Neither option adds significant time to your case. FLOW is ready faster because you twist on the syringe and inject. MIS takes an extra minute to assemble but gives more control when the portal is narrow. Cost depends on your hospital purchasing agreement, not on a big price gap between the two. Both systems use the same graft volume, so your cost per case is driven by how many packs you open, not which delivery tool you pick.
This week, before your next MIS TLIF, call Elite Surgical. Ask for a side-by-side comparison in the OR at Wexner Medical Center. Have the rep bring both systems to the case so you can feel the difference with your own hands. Use FLOW when the defect is contained and you can see the target. Use MIS when you need to place graft far from the portal, around a steep angle, or through a long narrow cannula. Do not wait until the case starts to decide.
Once you have used both systems, the choice becomes quick. You will reach for FLOW when the defect is small and easy to see. You will grab MIS when the portal is narrow and the far corner of the disc space matters. The graft goes where you want it, the cannula does not clog, and you move on to closure. That is one less variable in a long MIS spine fusion at Wexner Medical Center.
Other things people in Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center 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 Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and the area around it.