Autogenic bone paste in posterolateral fusion of the lower lumbar spine

In order to facilitate bone graft harvesting and to get more mouldable bone graft in posterolateral fusions of the lower lumbar spine, a modified technique of bone graft harvesting was utilized. Through a midline skin incision the most posterolateral part of an iliac crest was ground with a reamer to a smooth bone paste. The technique was used in lumbar posterolateral fusions without osteosynthesis in 13 patients with no previous spinal surgery and with spondylolysis-olisthesis grade 1-4 or lumbar disc disorder/facet joint arthrosis. Conventional radiography 6-9 months after surgery demonstrated good osseous consolidation of the fusion in 11 patients. There was no postoperative infection and the patients profited from having only 1 scar instead of 2 or 3.