Background: The objective of this study was the radiological evaluation of osseous integration of autologous iliac crest graft and bovine bone graft after spondylodesis based on a standardized score.
Material and methods: Spondylodesis was performed on 18 sheep, divided into 2 groups, 1 with an autologous iliac crest graft and the other with a bovine bone graft. Computed tomography was performed 12 and 24 weeks postoperatively. The osseous integration was assessed by the Tübinger Score.
Results: The evaluation of the CT scans demonstrated a significantly better osseous integration of the autologous iliac crest graft compared to the bovine bone graft.
Conclusions: Based on our results, the bovine bone graft as a transplant for spondylodesis is inadvisable.