Spine Open Journal Club: July 2026

In this journal club, we will discuss three of the most popular articles in the initial series of publications at Spine Open. The live discussion will take place on July 27, 2026 at 9PM Eastern. This Spine Open Journal Club will present three highlight articles from the first series of publications in Spine Open. This 60 minute journal club will discuss the following papers: A Retrospective Analysis of Early Outcomes from a Biphasic Calcium Phosphate Bone Graft With a Submicron, Needle-Like Surface Topography Used in Posterior Spinal Fusion Procedures. Evaluating Two Recombinant BMP-2 Formulations in Transforaminal Lumbar Fusion: Does the Carrier Matter? Volume-Outcome Relationship in Oncologic Surgery for Metastatic Spine Disease: A Systematic Review Editor in Chief Andrew Schoenfeld will discuss the articles with guest hosts Dr. Todd Albert and Dr. Addisu Mesfin. A Retrospective Analysis of Early Outcomes from a Biphasic Calcium Phosphate Bone Graft With a Submicron, Needle-Like Surface Topography Used in Posterior Spinal Fusion Procedures This journal club will present the article, “A Retrospective Analysis of Early Outcomes from a Biphasic Calcium Phosphate Bone Graft With a Submicron, Needle-Like Surface Topography Used in Posterior Spinal Fusion Procedures.” Evaluating Two Recombinant BMP-2 Formulations in Transforaminal Lumbar Fusion: Does the Carrier Matter? Study Design: Retrospective cohort study. Objective: To perform an exploratory comparison of clinical, radiologic, and perioperative outcomes of transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) using two recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) formulations, Infuse® (Medtronic, Minneapolis) and Novosis® (CG Bio, Seoul, South Korea). Summary of Background Data: Bone morphogenetic protein-2 has become a common osteoinductive agent in lumbar fusion. Infuse®, derived from Chinese Hamster Ovary cells, is effective but associated with inflammatory complications. Novosis®, an Escherichia coli–derived rhBMP-2 embedded in a hydroxyapatite/β-tricalcium phosphate carrier, potentially allows sustained protein release and lower local inflammatory response. Comparative data between these two agents in TLIF remains limited. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent 1- to 3-level TLIF for degenerative lumbar disorders using either Infuse® or Novosis® between 2018 and 2023. Demographics, perioperative parameters, and complications were extracted from medical records. Radiologic fusion was assessed using a six-zone scoring system at 3, 6, and 12 months. Clinical outcomes included visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and SF-36 physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) scores. Groups were compared using t-tests or χ2 analysis with significance at P < 0.05. Further subgroup analysis was carried out using 1- and 2-level TLIF cases to evaluate if the number of levels fused affects outcomes. Results: Novosis® achieved earlier radiologic fusion (65.6% vs. 10.5% at 3 mo; P < 0.001) and shorter drain duration (3.2 ± 2.1 vs. 5.1 ± 1.9 d; P = 0.011). At 12 months, fusion rates were comparable (100% vs. 93%; P = 0.162). ODI improvement favored Novosis® (P = 0.007), while SF-36 MCS improvement favored Infuse® (P < 0.001). Subgroup analysis for 1- and 2-level TLIFs did not show any significant difference in the measured outcomes. No ectopic bone formation or malignancy was observed. Conclusion: Novosis® showed earlier radiographic consolidation and a shorter drain duration, findings that may reflect carrier specific properties, whereas Infuse® demonstrated greater mental health improvement. Overall, fusion and clinical outcomes were satisfactory with each formulation, although these observations remain exploratory and require validation in larger, prospective studies. Level of Evidence: Level III. Keywords: rhBMP-2, bone morphogenetic protein, transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion, lumbar fusion, hydroxyapatite, TLIF Volume-Outcome Relationship in Oncologic Surgery for Metastatic Spine Disease: A Systematic Review This talk will present: Volume-Outcome Relationship in Oncologic Surgery for Metastatic Spine Disease: A Systematic Review