PI left the institution

This study is aimed at comparing the overall efficacy (clinical and radiographic) of Vivigen, a novel cellular allograft product, and rhBMP-2 when utilized in lumbar fusion procedures.

The purpose of this study is to compare the overall efficacy (clinical outcome and radiographic fusion) of Vivigen (cellular allograft product) and rhBMP-2 in patients who undergo a single level lumbar instrumented fusion. Specifically, when compared to their control group counterparts treated to rhBMP-2, we hypothesize that the intervention group administered Vivigen would, following surgery, experience:

1. Comparable mean postoperative leg/back pain score, where the pain scores are obtained using the numeric rating scale of 0-no pain, to 10-worst pain possible
2. Comparable inpatient length of stay (LOS)
3. Comparable postoperative Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) score (0-no disability, to 100-maximum disability possible), two weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year postoperatively
4. Comparable fusion rates, evaluated via CT scan I year postoperatively

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age 18 or older;
2. Diagnosed with lumbar degenerative/isthmic spondylolisthesis, degenerative disc disease with axial low back pain and neurologic symptoms, failed conservative treatment and eligible for a single level lumbar instrumented fusion;
3. Willing to provide informed consent, participate in study, and comply with study protocol.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Pregnant or contemplating pregnancy prior to surgery;
2. Serious spinal conditions (e.g. spinal cord compression, cauda equina syndrome, spinal infection, spinal tumor, spinal fracture, inflammatory or systemic spinal arthritis);
3. Surgery involving more than 2 vertebral levels;
4. Worker's compensation or personal injury related to lumbar spine (treatment outcomes may be affected by patient's personal interests; could also run into potential issues with reimbursement).
5. Lactating women
6. Patients who have a known or suspected allergy to Gentamicin Sulfate, Meropenem, Vancomycin, Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO), and Human Serum Albumin
7. Immune compromised patients

Plan to disseminate study findings via conference representation and journal publication using de-identified analyzed data

Study was terminated early when PI left the practice. Three patients were randomized to the intervention group. Zero were randomized to the control group.

1 year

Zero participants in the control group were at risk for all-cause mortality, serious adverse events, and other (not including serious) adverse events as the study was terminated early before any patients enrolled in that study arm. Adverse events collected per clinicaltrials.gov definitions. Protocol considered opioid related adverse events (ORAEs) an area of special interest but none were reported.

The surgical team, including the surgeons, will be blinded to the treatment options until decompression/instrumentation have been completed. The patients and all staff, including hospital nursing staff, case management, and physical therapists, will be blinded as to which bone graft treatment the patient received.