Bone Grafting Procedures on the Rise

Bone grafting procedures are commonly performed for a variety of reasons such as spinal fusion surgeries, reconstructive surgeries post-trauma, joint revision surgeries, and to repair non-union fractures. The number of such procedures requiring bone grafts has steadily increased across Latin America over the past decade.

According to a report by Transparency Market Research, over 300,000 bone grafting procedures were performed in Latin America in 2018. The report predicts this number will grow at a rate of over 5% annually through 2026. An aging population and greater life expectancies mean more individuals developing degenerative bone conditions requiring treatment. Improved access to healthcare has also contributed to the rise in surgeries using bone grafts or substitutes.

Types of Grafts and Substitutes Used

There are several types of Bone Graft and Substitutes and bone void fillers that are commonly used in Latin American countries:

- Autografts: These involve using bone graft material from the patient's own body, often taken from the pelvis. While considered the gold standard due to osteoconductive properties, autografts require an additional surgery and have limited supply.

- Allografts: These involve using bone graft material from human cadaver bone sources. While not requiring additional surgery, allografts carry disease transmission risks and limited osteoinductive capabilities.

- Demineralized bone matrix: Extracted from allogeneic or xenogeneic sources, it promotes bone formation but requires resorption before remodeling.

- Synthetic bone grafts: These fully synthetic alternatives include calcium sulfate, hydroxyapatite, bioactive glass and polymethylmethacrylate beads. They are easily handled and avoid risk of disease but lack osteoinductive properties.

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