Assessment of advanced demineralized bone fiber graft forms in rabbit posterolateral spine fusion: A feasibility study

Background: Fibrant Fibers (FF) are a new type of demineralized bone fibers (DBF) that enable the production of novel graft forms such as the cylindrical graft Pak. The objective of this study was to evaluate the fusion rates of combinations of FF and Pak with autograft iliac crest bone graft (ICBG)...

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Main Authors: Nelson Scarborough, Hania Shahzad, Brian Barnes, Safdar N. Khan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-08-01
Series:Journal of Orthopaedic Reports
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2773157X25000864
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author Nelson Scarborough
Hania Shahzad
Brian Barnes
Safdar N. Khan
author_facet Nelson Scarborough
Hania Shahzad
Brian Barnes
Safdar N. Khan
author_sort Nelson Scarborough
collection DOAJ
description Background: Fibrant Fibers (FF) are a new type of demineralized bone fibers (DBF) that enable the production of novel graft forms such as the cylindrical graft Pak. The objective of this study was to evaluate the fusion rates of combinations of FF and Pak with autograft iliac crest bone graft (ICBG) and bone marrow aspirate (BMA) in a challenging posterolateral rabbit fusion model.1 These grafts are designed to create a continuous matrix across the fusion site, and easily incorporate autograft and BMA, acting as autograft extenders or substitutes when used with BMA. Methods: This feasibility study was conducted, recruiting eleven healthy, skeletally mature female white New Zealand rabbits who were randomly assigned to three groups: Group 1 received ICBG and FF, Group 2 received ICBG placed inside Pak, and Group 3 received FF rehydrated with BMA and placed inside FB. For each animal, grafts were implanted bilaterally along the transverse processes (TP). Primary outcomes were fusion rates assessed by manual palpation, radiographs, and 3D uCT images at 8 weeks. Results: All 11 animals successfully recovered from surgery. Fusion rates were found to be 91 % using manual palpation, with 100 % fusion observed in Group 1 and Group 3. Radiological evaluation showed fusion rates of 100 % for Group 1, 100 % for Group 3, and 90 % for Group 2. Micro CT evaluation revealed fusion rates of 100 % for all three groups. The quality of fusion was found to be robust across all three groups based on histological evaluation. Conclusions: The results of this feasibility study demonstrate the potential of DBF forms of FF, particularly when combined with BMA, shows promise as an effective alternative or adjunct to traditional autografts. The findings suggest that these graft forms could be highly beneficial in clinical settings, providing surgeons with more versatile and potentially more effective options for spinal fusion procedures.
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spelling doaj-art-b88f027bc5db49c999d96e88c9d35c572025-08-26T04:14:48ZengElsevierJournal of Orthopaedic Reports2773-157X2025-08-014210063410.1016/j.jorep.2025.100634Assessment of advanced demineralized bone fiber graft forms in rabbit posterolateral spine fusion: A feasibility studyNelson Scarborough0Hania Shahzad1Brian Barnes2Safdar N. Khan3ISTO Biologics, Hopkinton, MA, USA; Corresponding author. Bone Technology Coach, Isto Biologics, 45 South St, Hopkinton, MA 01748, USA.UC Davis Health, Sacramento, CA, USAISTO Biologics, Hopkinton, MA, USAUC Davis Health, Sacramento, CA, USABackground: Fibrant Fibers (FF) are a new type of demineralized bone fibers (DBF) that enable the production of novel graft forms such as the cylindrical graft Pak. The objective of this study was to evaluate the fusion rates of combinations of FF and Pak with autograft iliac crest bone graft (ICBG) and bone marrow aspirate (BMA) in a challenging posterolateral rabbit fusion model.1 These grafts are designed to create a continuous matrix across the fusion site, and easily incorporate autograft and BMA, acting as autograft extenders or substitutes when used with BMA. Methods: This feasibility study was conducted, recruiting eleven healthy, skeletally mature female white New Zealand rabbits who were randomly assigned to three groups: Group 1 received ICBG and FF, Group 2 received ICBG placed inside Pak, and Group 3 received FF rehydrated with BMA and placed inside FB. For each animal, grafts were implanted bilaterally along the transverse processes (TP). Primary outcomes were fusion rates assessed by manual palpation, radiographs, and 3D uCT images at 8 weeks. Results: All 11 animals successfully recovered from surgery. Fusion rates were found to be 91 % using manual palpation, with 100 % fusion observed in Group 1 and Group 3. Radiological evaluation showed fusion rates of 100 % for Group 1, 100 % for Group 3, and 90 % for Group 2. Micro CT evaluation revealed fusion rates of 100 % for all three groups. The quality of fusion was found to be robust across all three groups based on histological evaluation. Conclusions: The results of this feasibility study demonstrate the potential of DBF forms of FF, particularly when combined with BMA, shows promise as an effective alternative or adjunct to traditional autografts. The findings suggest that these graft forms could be highly beneficial in clinical settings, providing surgeons with more versatile and potentially more effective options for spinal fusion procedures.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2773157X25000864Demineralized bone fibers (DBF)FusionRabbit modelBone graft
spellingShingle Nelson Scarborough
Hania Shahzad
Brian Barnes
Safdar N. Khan
Assessment of advanced demineralized bone fiber graft forms in rabbit posterolateral spine fusion: A feasibility study
Journal of Orthopaedic Reports
Demineralized bone fibers (DBF)
Fusion
Rabbit model
Bone graft
title Assessment of advanced demineralized bone fiber graft forms in rabbit posterolateral spine fusion: A feasibility study
title_full Assessment of advanced demineralized bone fiber graft forms in rabbit posterolateral spine fusion: A feasibility study
title_fullStr Assessment of advanced demineralized bone fiber graft forms in rabbit posterolateral spine fusion: A feasibility study
title_full_unstemmed Assessment of advanced demineralized bone fiber graft forms in rabbit posterolateral spine fusion: A feasibility study
title_short Assessment of advanced demineralized bone fiber graft forms in rabbit posterolateral spine fusion: A feasibility study
title_sort assessment of advanced demineralized bone fiber graft forms in rabbit posterolateral spine fusion a feasibility study
topic Demineralized bone fibers (DBF)
Fusion
Rabbit model
Bone graft
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2773157X25000864
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