Tissue engineering advances in spine surgery

Review by Melvin C Makhni et al. (Columbia University Medical Center, NY, USA) on tissue-engineered bone graft substitutes such as biomimetic 3D scaffolds, growth factors and cell therapies as an alternative to bone autografts, exclusively free for RegMedNet members. Bone autograft is the gold-standard bone graft material owing to the intrinsic healing (osteoconductive, osteogenic and osteoinductive) properties, low risk of immunologic reaction and strong mechanical stability. However, the procedure is painful, requires sufficient donor supply, and carries high risk of donor site morbidity, hematoma formation, nerve and vascular injury, and fracture. The following Review by Melvin C Makhni et al....