Are hereditary and acquired protein S deficiencies associated with low TFPI levels in plasma?
Full-length TFPI binds to protein S in plasma and is reduced in genetic and acquired protein S deficiency. The concomitant TFPI deficiency substantially contributes to the hypercoagulable state associated with protein S deficiency.
A 100% and 90.3% radiographic fusion rate was obtained for allograft and autograft in one-level ACDF procedures with rigid anterior plate fixation, respectively. Although autograft achieved a higher incidence of nonunion than allograft, this may be attributed to the use of autograft early in the experience of plate application and fixation in this series. The effects of smoking were not found to be a significant factor influencing fusion in these plated patients. In 90.9% of the patients, excellent and good clinical outcome results were reported. The use of allograft in one-level ACDF with rigid plate fixation yields similar and high fusion rates as autograft. The use of allograft bone eliminates complications and pitfalls associated with autologous donor site harvesting. However, the use of autograft is a viable alternative to avoid the risk of infection, disease transmission, and histocompatibility differences associated with allograft. The use of allograft or autograft bone in properly selected patients for one-level ACDF with rigid anterior plate fixation can result in high fusion rates with excellent and good clinical outcomes.