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Nancy E. Epstein
  1. Chief of Neurosurgical Spine and Education, Department of Neurosurgery, Winthrop University Hospital, Mineola, NY, 11501, USA, and Long Island Neurosurgical Assoc. P.C., 410 Lakeville Rd, New Hyde Park, New York, 11042, USA

Correspondence Address:
Nancy E. Epstein
Chief of Neurosurgical Spine and Education, Department of Neurosurgery, Winthrop University Hospital, Mineola, NY, 11501, USA, and Long Island Neurosurgical Assoc. P.C., 410 Lakeville Rd, New Hyde Park, New York, 11042, USA

DOI:10.4103/2152-7806.114813

Copyright: © 2013 Epstein NE This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

How to cite this article: Epstein NE. Complications due to the use of BMP/INFUSE in spine surgery: The evidence continues to mount. Surg Neurol Int 09-Jul-2013;4:

How to cite this URL: Epstein NE. Complications due to the use of BMP/INFUSE in spine surgery: The evidence continues to mount. Surg Neurol Int 09-Jul-2013;4:. Available from: http://sni.wpengine.com/surgicalint_articles/complications-due-to-the-use-of-bmpinfuse-in-spine-surgery-the-evidence-continues-to-mount/

Date of Submission
05-Jun-2013

Date of Acceptance
06-Jun-2013

Date of Web Publication
09-Jul-2013

Abstract

Increasingly, adverse events (AE) attributed to utilizing BMP/INFUSE (Bone Morphogenetic Protein, Medtronic, Memphis, TN, USA) “off-label” in spine surgery are being reported. In 2008, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning that in anterior cervical spine surgery, the “off-label” use of BMP/INFUSE contributed to marked dysphagia, hematoma, seroma, swelling, and/or the need for intubation/tracheostomy. Subsequent studies have cited the following AE; heterotopic ossification (HO), osteolysis, infection, arachnoiditis, increased neurological deficits, retrograde ejaculation, and cancer. Furthermore, in 2011, Carragee et al. noted that 13 of the original industry-sponsored BMP/INFUSE spinal surgery studies failed to acknowledge multiple AE. Additionally, in 2012, Comer et al. observed that the frequency of retrograde ejaculation reported for BMP/INFUSE used “on-label” to perform Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion/Lumbar Tapered Fusion-Cage Device (ALIF/LT-Cage) was also largely “under-reported.” To summarize, there is mounting evidence in the spinal literature that utilizing BMP/INFUSE in spinal fusions contributes to major perioperative and postoperative morbidity.

Keywords: Adverse events, BMP/INFUSE, fusions, morbidity, “off-label”, spinal surgery

INTRODUCTION

Major complications, adverse events (AE) and reoperations have increasingly been attributed to the “off-label” use of BMP/INFUSE (Bone Morphogenetic Protein, Medtronic, Memphis, TN, USA) in spine surgery. These include; heterotopic ossification (HO), osteolysis, seroma/hematoma, infection, arachnoiditis, dysphagia (anterior cervical surgery), increased neurological deficits (myelopathy, radiculopathy), retrograde ejaculation (RE), and cancer [ Table 1 ]. In the newer studies, evidence continues to mount regarding the increasing AE attributed to utilizing BMP/INFUSE "off-label" in spinal surgery.[ 3 5 9 10 13 ]


Table 1

Summary: Evidence Continues to Mount For Adverse Events Attributed to BMP/INFUSE

 

FDA APPROVAL OF BMP/INFUSE FOR ANTERIOR LUMBAR INTERBODY FUSION WITH LUMBAR TAPERED FUSION DEVICES (LT-CAGE) IN 2002

BMP/INFUSE (Medtronic, Memphis, TN, and USA) was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2002 as a bone graft expander/substitute for performing single-level Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusions (ALIF) within the Lumbar Tapered Fusion Device system (LT-Cage) [ Table 1 ]. The web site for FDA public health notification, stated that rhBMP-2 was FDA approved in the spine for fusion of the lumbar spine in skeletally mature patients with degenerative disc disease (DDD) at one level from L2-S1, and Grade I spondylolisthesis. Additionally, the rhBMp-7 (OP-1 and OP-1 Putty) device was approved as an “alternative to autograft in compromised patients requiring revision posterolateral (PL) (intertransverse) lumbar spinal fusion for whom autogenous bone and bone marrow harvest are not feasible or are not expected to promote fusion” (e.g., osteoporosis, smoking, diabetes) (www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/Safety/AlertsandNotices/PublicHealthNotifications/ucm062000.htm). The www.drugwatch.com/infuse site estimates since the release of BMP/INFUSE in 2002, over 100,000 spinal fusions are being performed per year utilizing BMP/INFUSE in a largely “off-label” capacity.

BMP AND SPINAL SURGERY FOR DEGENERATIVE DISC DISEASE: AN EVIDENCE-BASED ANALYSIS BY HEALTH QUALITY ONTARIO IN 2004

Health Quality Ontario reviewed the safety and efficacy of BMP/INFUSE in spinal fusion surgery in Canada in 2004 [ Table 1 ].[ 17 ] BMP/INFUSE was offered as an alternative to autogenous bone grafting for ALIF, and was combined with the LT cage and a bovine collagen sponge. Studies reviewed included MEDLINE and EMBASE databases (e.g., those submitted to the United States FDA). BMP/INFUSE was deemed safe, as ALIF fusion rates appeared to occur faster and the utilization of BMP/INFUSE avoided donor site pain. Notably, clinical results were comparable to other fusion constructs, and outcomes for the minimally invasive surgical procedures (MIS) were comparable to open surgery.

FDA RECEIVES OVER 38 REPORTS OF MEDTRONIC's BMP/INFUSE COMPLICATIONS FOR “OFF-LABEL” USE IN ANTERIOR CERVICAL SURGERY IN JULY 2008

By 2008, the FDA had received at least 38 reports of complications (over a 4-year period) of “swelling of the neck and throat tissues which resulted in compression of the airway and/or neurological structures of the neck,” and “difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), breathing, or speaking.” Patients required “respiratory support with intubation, anti-inflammatory medications, tracheostomy, and most commonly secondary surgeries to drain the surgical sites;” some also reported the need for feeding tubes (www.infuseboneproblemlawsuit.com). The safety and effectiveness of rhBMP in the cervical spine have not been demonstrated, and these products are not approved by the FDA for this use (e.g. cervical procedures) [ Table 1 ](www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/Safety/Alertsand%20Notices/PublicHealthNotifications/ucm0620000).

PERIOPERATIVE COST OF BMP/INFUSE IN POSTEROLATERAL LUMBAR FUSION IN 2008

In 2008, Glassman et al. performed a prospective, randomized study involving 102 patients over the age of 60, to compare the perioperative costs of utilizing rhBMP-2 or BMP/INFUSE (50 patients) vs. iliac crest bone graft (ICBG) (52 patients) as bone graft extenders for performing posterolateral lumbar fusions (PLF) [ Table 1 ].[ 16 ] All AE were recorded during the hospitalization and for a 3-month postoperative period. Perioperative complications were less for patients receiving BMP/INFUSE (8 of 50 or 16%; including 1 wound infection) vs. ICBG (12 of 52 or 23%; including 4 wound infections, and 1 neurological deficit). Notably, the combined first admission and 3-month postoperative costs were lower for BMP/INFUSE ($33,860) vs. ICBG ($37,227), and there were lower physician costs ($5,082 vs. $5,316), and rehabilitation costs ($4,906 vs. $6,820) attributed to BMP/INFUSE vs. ICBG. Therefore, despite the increased initial cost of BMP/INFUSE vs. ICBG, the former proved more cost-effective.

HIGH-DOSE BMP PRODUCES HETEROTOPIC RETROPERITONEAL OSSIFICATION IN 2010

In 2010, Deutsch et al. reported a 55-year-old male who underwent a combined anterior/posterior thoracic T8 to pelvis fusion for degenerative lumbar disc disease utilizing multiple packages of BMP [ Table 1 ].[ 7 ] The patient developed a pseudarthrosis accompanied by “weight loss, pain, tenderness, and (an) increasing solid growth in the left lower quadrant several months after his (initial) surgery.” The computed axial tomography (CT) documented an ectopic retroperitoneal bone growth in the pelvis in an area “contiguous to the anterior lumbar exposure site” consistent with HO; it was subsequently successfully removed, and the patient's symptoms resolved.

COSTS AND FREQUENCY OF “OFF-LABEL” USE OF INFUSE FOR SPINAL FUSIONS IN 2010

In 2010, Epstein and Schwall compared the frequency and costs of “off-label” vs. “on-label” use of BMP/INFUSE to perform cervical, thoracic, and lumbar fusions at a single institution [ Table 1 ].[ 13 ] During 177 spinal fusions, 96% (170 of 177) utilized BMP/INFUSE “off-label” (cost $4,547,822), while only 4% (7 of 177) of fusions utilized BMP/INFUSE “on-label” (e.g., ALIF cost of $296,419).[ 13 ] Of interest, there was a 40% reoperation rate for patients over the age of 65, with a 20% overall reoperation rate in all age groups.

UNREPORTED ADVERSE EVENTS AND UNDER-REPORTED SHORTCOMINGS OF INDUSTRY-SPONSORED BMP/INFUSE TRIALS IN SPINAL SURGERY IN 2011

In 2011, Carragee et al. noted that multiple clinical trials utilizing BMP/INFUSE in spinal surgery unreported and under-reported AE [ Table 1 ].[ 2 ] They observed that in multiple original “peer review, industry-sponsored publications,” AE were “either not reported at all, or not reported to be associated with rhBMP-2 use.”[ 2 ] To better determine the accuracy of reports regarding the safety/efficacy of BMP/INFUSE, the authors compared industry trial results with those submitted to the FDA, to those associated with subsequent publications, and to other databases. Notably, the 13 industry-sponsored, prospective, controlled trials involving 780 patients reported no complications or AE attributed to rhBMP-2. Investigation into study designs also revealed biases that favored study vs. control patients following posterolateral fusions (PLFs) and posterior lateral interbody fusions (PLIF).[ 2 ] Additionally, review of FDA documents and subsequently published data revealed “originally unpublished adverse events and internal inconsistencies.” These findings led Carragee et al., to conclude that the actual incidence of AE attributed to BMP/INFUSE is between 10% and 50% (varying with the procedure). A 40% risk of AE was associated with anterior cervical surgery utilizing BMP/INFUSE; these risks also included “life-threatening events.” AE attributed to ALIF, an “on-label” use with the LT-Cage, includes a higher risk than previously reported of “implant displacement, subsidence, infection, urogenital events, and retrograde ejaculation” for those treated with rhBMP-2 vs. control patients. AE associated with posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) utilizing BMP/INFUSE also resulted in an increased incidence of “radiculitis, ectopic bone formation, osteolysis, and poorer global outcomes.” They also found significantly exaggerated reports of ICBG morbidity when utilized to perform PL fusions, while in fact, AE due to BMP/INFUSE were equal to or greater than those attributed to ICBG. An additional 15% to 20% of patients complained of early back pain and leg pain. Higher doses of BMP/INFUSE were now increasingly correlated with rising cancer rates.

RETROGRADE EJACULATION AFTER ALIF USING RHBMP-2: COHORT CONTROLLED STUDY IN 2011

In 2011, the FDA reported that RE was observed in 8% of ALIFs (12 cases) performed to address lumbar spondylosis or spondylolisthesis at either the L5-S1 or the L4-L5/L5-S1 levels utilizing BMP/INFUSE vs. a 1.4% incidence performed without BMP/INFUSE (control patients) [ Table 1 ]. In the same year, Carragee et al. observed an increased risk of RE and other AE (e.g., inflammatory responses, heterotopic bone formation, radiculitis, osteolysis with cage/graft dislodgement/subsidence) for ALIF fusions utilizing BMP/INFUSE “on-label.”[ 3 ] Their study included 69 L5-S1 ALIFs (24 two-level L4-L5/L5-S1 with BMP/INFUSE vs. 174 L5-S1 ALIFs (64 two-level L4-L5/L5-S1) performed without BMP/INFUSE. Five RE events (7.2%) occurred in patients receiving rhBMP-2 (BMP/INFUSE) vs. only 1 (0.6%) among control patients. For L5-S1 ALIFs alone, the rates were 6.7% and 0%, respectively. Unfortunately, one year postoperatively, RE resolved in only three of six patients.

COMPLICATIONS OF BMP/ INFUSE IN SPINE SURGERY IN 2011

In 2011, BMP/INFUSE was widely utilized in an “off-label” capacity for anterior and/or posterior cervical, thoracic, and lumbar surgery [ Table 1 ].[ 10 ] Direct contraindications for utilizing BMP/INFUSE included; pregnancy, allergy to titanium, allergy to bovine type I collagen or rhBMP-2, infection, tumor, liver or kidney disease, immunosuppression (e.g., lupus, HIV/AIDS), those undergoing chemotherapy, or patients on steroids.[ 10 ] Multiple complications reported included; HO, paralysis (cord, nerve damage), dural tears, bowel-bladder dysfunction, RE, respiratory failure, inflammation of adjacent tissues, fetal developmental complications, scar, excessive bleeding, and even death.

PREVALENCE OF “UNNECESSARY” CERVICAL SURGERY AND LUMBAR PLIF OFFERED BY OUTSIDE SURGEONS IN 2011

In 2011, Epstein reported that 17.2% (47 patients) of 274 patients seen in consultation for cervical or lumbar complaints over a one-year period had been offered “unnecessary” spinal surgery, that in some cases would have utilized BMP/INFUSE [ Table 1 ].[ 12 ] The “unnecessary” surgery was defined as operations being offered for pain alone, without focal neurological deficits, or significantly abnormal radiographic findings [dynamic X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, and/or CT scans]. “Unnecessary” cervical surgery had been offered to 21 (23.1%) of 91 patients with cervical pain and included 1–4 level anterior diskectomy/fusion (18 patients), laminectomies/fusions (2 patients), and a posterior cervical diskectomy (1 patient). “Unnecessary” 1–5 level PLIFs for lumbar pain alone were offered to 26 (14.2%) of 183 patients; these included 1-level (13 patients), 2-level (7 patients), 3-level (3 patients), 4-level (2 patients), and 5-level (1 patient) procedures.

EFFECT OF STEROIDS ON SOFT TISSUE INFLAMMATION ASSOCIATED WITH RHBMP-2 (RODENT MODEL) IN 2012

In an in vivo rodent model, Tan et al. evaluated the impact of systemic corticosteroids on the reduction of soft tissue inflammation after the local application of rhBMP-2 absorbable collagen sponges (control vs. rhBMP-2) applied subcutaneously (SC) or intramuscularly (IM) in the lumbar regions of rats [ Table 1 ].[ 20 ] There were four groups; group I – control sponge; group II – BMP-2 sponge; group III – BMP-2 sponge and preoperative intraperitoneal methylprednisolone, and group IV – BMP-2 sponge with methylprednisolone given on day 2. MRI was utilized to assess postoperative inflammatory changes (soft tissue edema volume) at 0, 2, 4, and 7 days, and rats were sacrificed and analyzed (gross and histological analysis) at 7 days. On MRI scans, the maximal average inflammatory changes were noted intramuscularly on day 2 in all groups. However, the group II cohort (BMP-2 with steroids) had a significantly higher peak mean inflammatory volume (405.46 mm) on day 2 vs. all others (in group I (266 mm), III (278 mm), and IV (291 mm) (P = 0.001)). The authors concluded that systemic methylprednisolone did reduce MRI-documented soft tissue edema attributed to rhBMP2, but that this did not impact the histologically documented area of inflammation.

INDUSTRY SPONSORED REPORTS DOCUMENTING NO BMP/INFUSE-RELATED COMPLICATIONS BUT MAGNIFYING RISKS OF ILIAC CREST BONE HARVESTING IN 2012

The frequency of BMP/INFUSE utilized by spinal surgeons rose from 0.7% in 2002 to over 50% for ALIF and 43% for PLIF/TLIF fusions by 2007 [ Table 1 ].[ 14 ] In 2012, Even et al. noted that in initial studies sponsored by the industry, involving 780 patients, there were no AE that were directly attributed to BMP/INFUSE.[ 14 ] Furthermore, these studies magnified the AE/morbidity of harvesting ICBG; complication rates of 40–60% were cited, significantly higher than the historical rates of 3-30%. Meanwhile, the complications of BMP/INFUSE, which included RE, osteolysis, seroma, postoperative radiculitis, ectopic bone formation, and massive soft tissue swelling went under or unreported.

INCREASED CANCER RISK WITH AMPLIFY (HIGHER DOSE BMP/INFUSE: MEDTRONIC, MEMPHIS, TN, USA) IN SPINE SURGERY IN 2012

Even et al. additionally noted in 2012, that Amplify0 (higher dose BMP/INFUSE) is contraindicated for patients with cancer requiring spinal fusions, as BMP receptors are found on the cell membranes of certain cancer cells [ Table 1 ].[ 14 ] The FDA subsequently reported “that Amplify increased cancer rates 4 fold with 9 (3.8%) new tumors being found out of 239 Amplify patients vs. only 2 (0.89%) of 224 control patients.” At 60 months, cancer rates increased to 5% for the Amplify group vs. 1.8% for the control patients.

INCREASED CANCER RISK WITH AMPLIFY/BMP/INFUSE (RHBMP) IN SPINE SURGERY IN 2012

Devine et al. also evaluated whether utilizing AMPLIFY/BMP/INFUSE in spine surgery were associated with increased cancer risks [ Table 1 ].[ 8 ] When assessing the data provided to the FDA regarding Amplify™ (rhBMP-2, 40 mg), they found “a higher number of cancers in the investigational group compared with the control” population. As of January 2012, utilizing PubMed, Cochrane, National Guideline Clearinghouse Databases, and key articles, they identified five peer-reviewed and two FDA studies that looked at cancer risks for patients undergoing spinal fusion with rhBMP-2 (INFUSE™) or rhBMP-7. Off-label use of rhBMP-2 for PLF correlated with a slightly higher risk of cancer (3.8%) vs. controls (0.9%). In two randomized/controlled studies, the rhBMP-7 cancer risks were 12.5% and 5.6%, respectively vs. 8.3% and 0% in the control groups.[ 8 ]

INCREASED INCIDENCE OF RETROGRADE EJACULATION AND URINARY RETENTION AFTER ALIF WITH BMP/INFUSE VS. WITHOUT BMP/INFUSE (10 YEAR STUDY) IN 2012

Comer et al. evaluated whether BMP/INFUSE (BMP-2) utilized in ALIF fusions promoted inflammatory reactions that increased the risk of RE, an injury typically attributed to mechanical or “inflammatory” injury to the superior hypogastric plexus [ Table 1 ].[ 5 ] Ten-year outcomes of ALIF for lumbar spondylosis or spondylolisthesis (L4/L5 or L5/S1) with/without BMP/INFUSE were assessed. Patients were divided into four groups: group 1 (174 patients before BMP/INFUSE), groups 2 and 3 (BMP-2 routinely used, respectively, in 88 and 151 patients), and group 4 (no BMP in 59 patients). They observed a higher rate of RE following open ALIF procedures performed with BMP/INFUSE; 15 (6.3%) undergoing 239 ALIFs with BMP-2 developed RE vs. 2 (0.9%) for 233 control patients. Additionally, disproportionately more patients with underlying benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) developed postoperative RE. Furthermore, those receiving BMP developed an increased incidence of urinary retention (9.7%) vs. control patients (4.6%).

RECOMBINANT HUMAN BONE MORPHOGENETIC PROTEIN-2: ADVERSE EVENTS REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER AND USER FACILITY DEVICE EXPERIENCE DATABASE IN 2012

Woo et al. reported other major AE utilizing BMP/INFUSE (including documentation of “off-label” Use of rhBMP-2) in spinal surgery based on the FDA database of postmarketing reports [ Table 1 ].[ 21 ] Utilizing the Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience Database, they analyzed reports from July 2002 to August 2011. Out of 834 reports, only 4 (0.5%) used BMP/INFUSE “on-label”; almost half (370 or 44.4%) of these patients required “revision surgery or other invasive procedures to address reported AE.” The major AEs recorded included: “Swelling, fluid collections, osteolysis, pain/radiculopathy, heterotopic bone, pseudarthrosis, surgical site infections and other wound complications, thromboembolic events, respiratory distress, and cancer.” They concluded; “… serious adverse events can occur after the use of rhBMP-2 in spinal surgery and raises many points that surgeons may wish to consider when deciding when and how to use this product in their patients.”

COMPLICATIONS OF TRANSFORAMINAL LUMBAR INTERBODY FUSIONS ASSOCIATED WITH BMP IN 2012

Chrastil and Patel evaluated 360 tansforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) fusions performed with BMP/INFUSE for spondylolisthesis, degenerative scoliosis, pseudarthrosis, recurrent discs, and chronic low back pain with degenerative disc disease [ Table 1 ].[ 4 ] Complications included: “Intraoperative neurologic injury, implant migration or subsidence, dural tears, infection, heterotopic ossification, BMP-related radiculitis, and osteolysis.” They concluded that utilizing BMP to perform MIS spinal procedures is associated with “unique concerns.”

IMPACT OF BMP ON FREQUENCY OF REVISION SURGERY, USE OF AUTOGRAFT, AND TOTAL HOSPITAL CHARGES FOR LUMBAR DEGENERATIVE DISEASE IN 2012

Dagostino et al. noted that the purpose of utilizing BMP/INFUSE in spinal surgery was to avert the morbidity/AE associated with harvesting iliac crest bone autograft (ICBG) [ Table 1 ].[ 6 ] Utilizing the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS), a retrospective cohort analysis of 46,452 patients (2002-2008) undergoing thoracolumbar/lumbar fusions for degenerative spinal disease revealed continued growth in the number of lumbar fusions performed with BMP. They observed fewer revisions and interestingly, no change in the frequency of ICBG. Nevertheless, BMP significantly increased the average hospital charge per patient by $13,362.39, and added over $900 million to total hospital charges (2002 vs. 2008) for degenerative thoracolumbar procedures.

POOR CLINICAL OUTCOMES OF INSTRUMENTED FUSION FOR FAILED BACK SURGERY IN 2012

Arts et al. evaluated the outcomes of 100 patients undergoing instrumented spinal fusions for “failed back surgery syndrome” defined as “persistent chronic low-back pain and/or leg pain lasting more than 1 year, despite one or more surgical procedures [ Table 1 ].”[ 1 ] Recovery was assessed utilizing; the Likert scale, Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Roland Disability Questionnaire for Sciatica (RDQ), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Questionnaires were returned by 82 patients who were followed over an average postoperative interval of 15 months; of these, 35% reported good outcomes, but 65% claimed unsatisfactory outcomes. Of interest, the HADS score demonstrated possible anxiety disorders in 28% of the patients, with 30% exhibiting possible depression. A lower education level was the only clinical factor demonstrating a significantly negative correlation with outcome. The authors concluded that the majority (65%) of outcomes for instrumented fusions for failed back surgery were poor, and recommended that in the future patients should be more carefully selected “to prevent unnecessary surgery.”

TLIF AND PLIF UTILIZING BMP-2 IN THE TREATMENT OF DEGENERATIVE SPONDYLOLISTHESIS: NOT SIGNIFICANTLY BETTER CLINICAL OUTCOMES IN 2013

Moatz and Tortolani observed that as health care expenditures rise, more emphasis is placed on the cost of spinal surgery per quality adjusted life year (QALY) [ Table 1 ].[ 19 ] Although spinal surgery for degenerative spondylolisthesis (DS) is as cost-effective as total joint replacement surgery, the literature demonstrates that the “value added” of interbody fusion utilizing BMP to perform PLIF or TLIF did not lead to “significantly better clinical outcomes and increases costs when compared with more routine posterolateral fusion techniques.” They concluded that there is not enough evidence to support the routine use of BMP/INFUSE with interbody fusion devices for the management of focal stenosis with DS, and that spinal stenosis with DS could be adequately managed with other PLF techniques without BMP/INFUSE.

THE VALUE OF “ANOTHER” OPINION FOR SPINAL SURGERY: A PROSPECTIVE 14-MONTH STUDY OF ONE SURGEON's EXPERIENCE IN 2013

Gamache examined the value of another opinion for patients seeking neurosurgical consultation for spinal disease in New York City [ Table 1 ].[ 15 ] Over 14-months, he prospectively collected data from 240 consecutive patients that included imaging studies and patients’ comments on consultation questionnaires. First opinions were performed in 85 (35%) of the 240 patients (those referred from primary care doctors/neurologists); no surgery was recommended for 37 (43%) of these 85 patients. However, for the 155 (65%) of the 240 patients who came for second, third, or fourth surgical opinions (e.g., earlier surgeons recommended an operation); the author recommended no surgery for 69 (44.5%) patients. Gamache emphasized that neurological findings and neurodiagnostic studies should be carefully correlated with patient's complaints, and that patients should be clearly educated as to why and whether they should be considered nonsurgical vs. surgical candidates.[ 15 ]

GENETIC ADVANCES IN THE REGENERATION OF THE INTERVERTEBRAL DISC IN 2013

When Maerz et al. evaluated tissue engineering strategies to promote the regeneration of intervertebral discs, they also acknowledged that in animal models (in vivo) dating back to the mid 2000s, BMP-2 resulted in greater degenerative changes within the discs, promoted increased bone formation, and inflammatory responses [ Table 1 ].[ 18 ]

COMMENTARY ON RESEARCH OF BONE MORPHOGENETIC PROTEIN IN 2013

Commenting on the article by Maerz et al., Epstein noted the in vivo and in vitro complications observed in animal models attributed to BMP (BMP-2, BMP-7) dated back to the mid 2000s [ Table 1 ].[ 11 18 ] Complications, particularly at higher dosages, included “inflammation/inflammatory processes, increased vascularity, fibroblastic proliferation, and catabolism.”

CONCLUSION

We continue to recognize multiple major AE in patients undergoing particularly "off-label" spinal fusions utilizing BMP/INFUSE [ Table 1 ].[ 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 12 13 14 17 19 21 ] AE predominantly include: HO, osteolysis, seroma/hematoma, infection, arachnoiditis, dysphagia (anterior cervical surgery), increased neurological deficits (myelopathy, radiculopathy), RE, and cancer.[ 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 12 13 14 17 19 21 ] In 2011, Carragee et al. pointed out that 13 of the original industry-sponsored BMP/INFUSE spinal surgery studies failed to acknowledge multiple AE.[ 3 ] Also, in 2012, Comer et al. noted that the frequency of retrograde ejaculation (RE) reported for BMP/INFUSE used “on-label” to perform ALIF/LT-Cage fusions was also largely "under-reported."[ 3 5 ] The remote and mounting recent evidence in the spinal literature now acknowledges that utilizing BMP/INFUSE to perform spinal fusions contributes to major perioperative and postoperative morbidity (AE).[ 9 10 13 ]

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

The clinical development and use of BMP- 2 is not a pretty story, as it is one filled with conflicts of interest, dishonest record keeping/reporting, a lack of clinical leadership.[ 11 ] While the federal Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) determines whether a drug or a class of drugs should be available through our standard market system, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) determines if such availability is permissible and sets the conditions under which a manufacturer may advertise and market the drug.[ 3 12 ] A bone morphogenetic protein BMP-2, (Medtronic, Memphis TN, USA) was approved in 2002 by the FDA for use as an adjunct in anterior lumbar spinal fusions.[ 9 ] Since its approval, however, there are multiple reports of major conflicts of interest involving clinical investigators receiving generous payments as consultants from the drug/device industry, including Medtronic.[ 15 ] Reports indicate that while performing research and writing scientific papers, these same authors not only sat on the editorial boards that reviewed these papers, but also occupied leadership positions within neurosurgery and orthopedic surgery.[ 6 ]

SIGNIFICANT COMPLICATIONS AND ADVERSE EVENTS (AE)

A decade later, many significant complications and adverse events (AE) (e.g. up to 15%) directly attributable to BMP-2 were accurately reported.[ 5 15 ] Finally, in 2008, the FDA issued stern warnings regarding adverse events following the use of BMP in anterior cervical surgery (e.g. respiratory difficulties, dysphagia, tracheotomy); the response from the leadership of neurosurgery was muted at best.[ 5 7 10 13 ] Although these revelations received negative reviews from academicians and editors, larger and more definitive studies regarding BMP-2 related AE to establish its safety/efficacy were never performed.[ 2 7 ]

QUESTIONS RAISED ABOUT BMP-2: DOSAGE, INDICATIONS, CONTAINMENT, COST

Nevertheless, as questions were raised about the acceptable dose, indications, cost/ effectiveness and cost/benefit parameters for BMP-2 in spinal surgery, some authors began removing their support for the product, while select hospitals announced they would ban BMP-2 from their premises (e.g. for lumbar or cervical surgery).[ 7 14 ] Certainly, the present lack documentation of the safety/efficacy of BMP-2 “off-label” in the anterior cervical spine should make it an investigational drug/device.[ 1 4 13 ]

JOINT COMMITTEE ON DRUGS AND DEVICES OF THE AANS AND CNS

Since the mid-1970s, The Joint Committee on Drugs and Devices of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) and the Congress of Neurological Surgeons) CNS was established to advise the leadership regarding adverse trends or developments regarding drugs/devices (e.g. BMP-2). A vigilant committee should have known well before the FDA warning in 2008 that BMP-2 was problematic in anterior cervical surgery.[ 8 ] Unfortunately, no timely action was taken, and the AANS/CNS societies only began to pay attention to the issue due to excessive costs rather than AE.[ 7 ]

MAJOR INITIAL ERROR: FAILURE TO UNDERSTAND LIMITATIONS OF “OFF-LABEL USE” OF BMP-2

The major initial error in this story was the failure of the individual surgeons and leadership of neurosurgery to highlight the significant limitations of the “off-label” use of BMP-2. It was not sufficient to simply inform the readers that their use of BMP-2 was appropriate because the state's control over their license trumped the FDA's oversight of labeling. Rather, there had to be some reason to believe that the agent was both safe and effective for its intended use.[ 1 4 13 ]

COMPLEX CONSIDERATIONS FOR CONVERSION OF BMP-2 FOR SAFE AND EFFECTIVE “OFF-LABEL” USE

For BMP-2 to be utilized in different areas of the spine rather than simply for the “on-label” use in ALIF with the LT-Cage, consideration had to be given to the process of “conversion” (e.g. its use in other unique environments/surgical wounds, its impact on other soft tissues, and the potential for neural injury). The dissimilarity between the surgical wounds make it hazardous to use safety data from the lumbar spine to draw conclusions regarding the safety of BMP-2 in the cervical region. In the absence of such adequate safety data, therefore, utilization of BMP-2 in the cervical spine should have been and should be considered “investigational”.

Commentary

Clark Watts
  1. University of Texas School of Law, Austin, Texas USA. E-mail: cwattsmdjd@msn.com

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

The clinical development and use of BMP- 2 is not a pretty story, as it is one filled with conflicts of interest, dishonest record keeping/reporting, a lack of clinical leadership.[ 11 ] While the federal Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) determines whether a drug or a class of drugs should be available through our standard market system, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) determines if such availability is permissible and sets the conditions under which a manufacturer may advertise and market the drug.[ 3 12 ] A bone morphogenetic protein BMP-2, (Medtronic, Memphis TN, USA) was approved in 2002 by the FDA for use as an adjunct in anterior lumbar spinal fusions.[ 9 ] Since its approval, however, there are multiple reports of major conflicts of interest involving clinical investigators receiving generous payments as consultants from the drug/device industry, including Medtronic.[ 15 ] Reports indicate that while performing research and writing scientific papers, these same authors not only sat on the editorial boards that reviewed these papers, but also occupied leadership positions within neurosurgery and orthopedic surgery.[ 6 ]

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

SIGNIFICANT COMPLICATIONS AND ADVERSE EVENTS (AE)

SIGNIFICANT COMPLICATIONS AND ADVERSE EVENTS (AE)

SIGNIFICANT COMPLICATIONS AND ADVERSE EVENTS (AE)

A decade later, many significant complications and adverse events (AE) (e.g. up to 15%) directly attributable to BMP-2 were accurately reported.[ 5 15 ] Finally, in 2008, the FDA issued stern warnings regarding adverse events following the use of BMP in anterior cervical surgery (e.g. respiratory difficulties, dysphagia, tracheotomy); the response from the leadership of neurosurgery was muted at best.[ 5 7 10 13 ] Although these revelations received negative reviews from academicians and editors, larger and more definitive studies regarding BMP-2 related AE to establish its safety/efficacy were never performed.[ 2 7 ]

SIGNIFICANT COMPLICATIONS AND ADVERSE EVENTS (AE)

SIGNIFICANT COMPLICATIONS AND ADVERSE EVENTS (AE)

QUESTIONS RAISED ABOUT BMP-2: DOSAGE, INDICATIONS, CONTAINMENT, COST

QUESTIONS RAISED ABOUT BMP-2: DOSAGE, INDICATIONS, CONTAINMENT, COST

QUESTIONS RAISED ABOUT BMP-2: DOSAGE, INDICATIONS, CONTAINMENT, COST

Nevertheless, as questions were raised about the acceptable dose, indications, cost/ effectiveness and cost/benefit parameters for BMP-2 in spinal surgery, some authors began removing their support for the product, while select hospitals announced they would ban BMP-2 from their premises (e.g. for lumbar or cervical surgery).[ 7 14 ] Certainly, the present lack documentation of the safety/efficacy of BMP-2 “off-label” in the anterior cervical spine should make it an investigational drug/device.[ 1 4 13 ]

QUESTIONS RAISED ABOUT BMP-2: DOSAGE, INDICATIONS, CONTAINMENT, COST

QUESTIONS RAISED ABOUT BMP-2: DOSAGE, INDICATIONS, CONTAINMENT, COST

JOINT COMMITTEE ON DRUGS AND DEVICES OF THE AANS AND CNS

JOINT COMMITTEE ON DRUGS AND DEVICES OF THE AANS AND CNS

JOINT COMMITTEE ON DRUGS AND DEVICES OF THE AANS AND CNS

Since the mid-1970s, The Joint Committee on Drugs and Devices of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) and the Congress of Neurological Surgeons) CNS was established to advise the leadership regarding adverse trends or developments regarding drugs/devices (e.g. BMP-2). A vigilant committee should have known well before the FDA warning in 2008 that BMP-2 was problematic in anterior cervical surgery.[ 8 ] Unfortunately, no timely action was taken, and the AANS/CNS societies only began to pay attention to the issue due to excessive costs rather than AE.[ 7 ]

JOINT COMMITTEE ON DRUGS AND DEVICES OF THE AANS AND CNS

JOINT COMMITTEE ON DRUGS AND DEVICES OF THE AANS AND CNS

MAJOR INITIAL ERROR: FAILURE TO UNDERSTAND LIMITATIONS OF “OFF-LABEL USE” OF BMP-2

MAJOR INITIAL ERROR: FAILURE TO UNDERSTAND LIMITATIONS OF “OFF-LABEL USE” OF BMP-2

MAJOR INITIAL ERROR: FAILURE TO UNDERSTAND LIMITATIONS OF “OFF-LABEL USE” OF BMP-2

The major initial error in this story was the failure of the individual surgeons and leadership of neurosurgery to highlight the significant limitations of the “off-label” use of BMP-2. It was not sufficient to simply inform the readers that their use of BMP-2 was appropriate because the state's control over their license trumped the FDA's oversight of labeling. Rather, there had to be some reason to believe that the agent was both safe and effective for its intended use.[ 1 4 13 ]

MAJOR INITIAL ERROR: FAILURE TO UNDERSTAND LIMITATIONS OF “OFF-LABEL USE” OF BMP-2

MAJOR INITIAL ERROR: FAILURE TO UNDERSTAND LIMITATIONS OF “OFF-LABEL USE” OF BMP-2

COMPLEX CONSIDERATIONS FOR CONVERSION OF BMP-2 FOR SAFE AND EFFECTIVE “OFF-LABEL” USE

COMPLEX CONSIDERATIONS FOR CONVERSION OF BMP-2 FOR SAFE AND EFFECTIVE “OFF-LABEL” USE

COMPLEX CONSIDERATIONS FOR CONVERSION OF BMP-2 FOR SAFE AND EFFECTIVE “OFF-LABEL” USE

For BMP-2 to be utilized in different areas of the spine rather than simply for the “on-label” use in ALIF with the LT-Cage, consideration had to be given to the process of “conversion” (e.g. its use in other unique environments/surgical wounds, its impact on other soft tissues, and the potential for neural injury). The dissimilarity between the surgical wounds make it hazardous to use safety data from the lumbar spine to draw conclusions regarding the safety of BMP-2 in the cervical region. In the absence of such adequate safety data, therefore, utilization of BMP-2 in the cervical spine should have been and should be considered “investigational”.

COMPLEX CONSIDERATIONS FOR CONVERSION OF BMP-2 FOR SAFE AND EFFECTIVE “OFF-LABEL” USE

References

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6. Dagostino PR, Whitmore RG, Smith GA, Maltenfort MG, Ratliff JK. Impact of bone morphogenetic proteins on frequency of revision surgery, use of autograft bone, and total hospital charges in surgery for lumbar degenerative disease: Review of the Nationwide Inpatient Sample from 2002 to 2008. Spine J. 2013. p.

7. Deutsch H. High-dose bone morphogenetic protein-induced ectopic abdomen bone growth. Spine J. 2010. 10: e1-4

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2 Comments

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    Sharon Hicks

    Posted October 22, 2020, 8:39 am

    In 2009 I had a posterior lumbar interbody fusion at L4-L5, L5-S1 with BMP.

    In 2015 I had two more surgeries due to unrelenting lumbar, left leg and left groin pain. I had my hardware removed and then, had a complete facetectomy at L4-L5 on the left with neurolysis at L4-5, S1. My surgeon found 5mm of the interbody cage impinging my L5 nerve due to bony growth; he has to microscopically chisel the bone off of my nerve. He reported the last CT exam somewhat understated the prominence of the bone.

    Here is my history prior to my 2015 surgeries: 2009 Post Operatively I experienced swelling at the surgery site, experienced a new onset of leg pain on the leg I never had pain in prior to surgery, and had a temperature resulting in extra days in the hospital. Eventually, these issues resolved and I felt like the surgery was a success.

    However, In 2012 I began experiencing left leg pain, lumbar/ sacral pain, left groin pain and widespread joint inflammation and pain.

    For three years I had multiple doctor visits, MRI’s and CT’s trying to find the cause of my pain. My orthopedic doctor treated me like I was crazy. He thought I had a fibromyalgia issue and not a back issue. Admittedly, I was crazy in unrelenting pain. After persistently returning to see him, having repeat MRIs /CTs and me pointing out a displaced spacer at l5 on my radiology exams, he ordered another type of CT
    exam which finally showed the bony growth.

    It is now October of 2020, I never been able to return to work as a RN. I have permanent nerve damage to my L5 (sciatic nerve/the largest nerve in the body). My lumbar and left leg pain continues to be constant and unrelenting. My left groin pain is constant and worsens as my bladder fills/ I have urinary retention and frequency. Sadly, I have had no luck with epidurals as they exacerbate my leg pain to a level which affects my ability to ambulate.

    BMP has ruined my life. I am grateful to the author(s) who have and continue to research and educate the public on the dangerous side-effects of BMP.

    Reply
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    Brett

    Posted March 17, 2021, 5:45 am

    Reading your medical report and your symptoms are like reading my own medical report. I have the exact same thing bmp infuse!
    2007 L 4- L5 fusion.
    2011 Remove the overgrown bone and take out the hardware!
    Severe pain since the first surgery !

    Reply

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