There are multiple reasons why a medical professional would suggest that a patient should have bone graft surgery. Whether it be for multiple fractures that haven’t healed properly or to heal bones after medical device implantation such as joint replacements, people can find great help in the use of a bone graft delivery device.
In order to help your patients with bone repair, you must first decide on what devices for graft delivery that you will use. Before you can find the right bone graft delivery device for you and your patients, there are a few things that you must consider ahead of time.
Choosing Bone Graft Material
The device that you choose will often be partnered with different bone graft companies that work with one of the three types of bone graft material. The types of bone grafting to choose from are Autograft, Allograft, and Synthetic. The Autograft option is bone that originates from the patient, where as Allograft is bone that comes from a donor. Synthetic is a bone graft substitute.
One study that took place over the course of 16 years found that 83 percent of bone grafts involved Autografts, while only 17 percent used synthetic grafts. This is important information to consider when you are choosing bone graft manufactures for a bone graft delivery device.
Devices for Bone Graft Delivery
Before you can decide on a bone graft delivery device, you must first consider all of your options. Three common devices used for bone graft surgery are a bone funnel, a syringe, and a cannula.
It is possible to use these devices with each other, such as using the syringe to push the bone graft material through a cannula, which is a thin tube that helps direct the material to the targeted area. You may find that it is helpful to have different devices on hand instead of only using one type of bone graft delivery device on all of your patients.
Research New Bone Grafting Technology
As with any part of the medical field, bone grafting technology is always evolving and inventing new types of graft delivery. From new devices such as a universal graft gun, or Graftgun®, to the option of having tubes prefilled with bone matrix and cortical fibers, each day offers new discoveries.
Because of this, it is important to keep up with every new bone graft delivery device that becomes available. Even if you think that you have found the perfect device for you and your patients’ needs, make sure that you keep an open mind when it comes to new options.
As long as you research bone graft material, learn about the current devices available, and stay on top of new technology as it is released, you are sure to find what you need in a bone graft delivery device.