A Novel Method for the Salvage of Bone Dust Generated by High-Speed Burrs in Spinal Surgery

BACKGROUND

All spinal fusion operations, for degenerative and deformity correction, require preparation of a fusion bed and subsequent grafting to achieve a solid fusion. Autogenic cancellous graft remains the gold standard for bone grafting and is usually harvested from the iliac crest. The yield can be insufficient. Its harvest adds to the length of the operation in addition to increased blood loss. Donor-site complications add to patient morbidity and can lead to chronic pain and disability.¹ In spine surgery, substantial bone dust is generated with the use of high-speed drills and burrs that is usually discarded through irrigation and suction of the operative site. Although the dedicated surgeon may collect some of this bone dust by hand, this is a rather laborious and inefficient method.

TECHNIQUE

We propose a method whereby the bone dust created during spinal surgery can be salvaged. This will add to the amount of autoiogous bone graft material available and reduce the amount of allograft or synthetic substitute required for the procedure. The technique relies upon the use of a trap designed by one of the authors (CJ) in the suction circuitry (Fig. 1). This allows the capture of the bone dust as it is generated (Figs 2 and 3) without increase in operative time or blood loss. There is also no need for surgeons to change their routine operative technique.

Figure 1.

Bone dust trap.

Figure 2.

Intra-operative use of the bone dust trap.

Figure 3.

Salvaged autograft.