A Retrospective Analysis of Complications Associated With Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 in Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion

Study Design:Retrospective review.Objective:The aim of our study was to quantify the frequency of complications associated with recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 2 (rhBMP-2) use in anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF).Methods:The orthopedic subset of the Medicare database (PearlDiver) was queried for this retrospective cohort study using International Statistical Classification of Diseases 9 (ICD-9) and Current Procedure Terminology (CPT) codes for ALIF procedures with and without rhBMP-2 between 2005 and 2010. Frequencies of complications and reoperations were then identified within 1 year from the index procedure. Complications included reoperations, pulmonary embolus, deep vein thrombosis, myocardial infarction, nerve-related complications, incision and drainage procedures, wound, sepsis, pneumonia, urinary tract infections, respiratory, heterotopic ossification, retrograde ejaculation, radiculopathy, and other medical complications. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) we...