The AO Spine Guideline for Using Osteobiologics in Spine Degeneration project (AO-GO) has been published as a focus issue in the Global Spine Journal. The launch of this evidence-based guideline represents a watershed moment in Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF) and was made possible thanks to an incredible collaborative effort by members of the spine community. A handy quick reference guide is also available. 

The first guidelines to focus on osteobiologics in ACDF

Led by Dr. Hans Jörg Meisel and Dr. Zorica Buser, the new guidelines are developed as an important addition to the clinical landscape in ACDF. Through a series of evidence-based recommendations, they will support surgeons with clinical decision making. As a result, it will be possible to tailor osteobiologic use more carefully to individual patients and to improve safety and efficacy outcomes. The ultimate goal of the AO-GO team is to provide guidelines with recommendations that specify which osteobiologics can be used at single level or multilevel ACDF in a range of clinical scenarios. The guidelines will also serve as a valuable, up-to-date resource for the whole ACDF community and will promote the conduct of more high-quality research in the field.

The AO-GO team is a global alliance of experts focused on promoting best-practice in osteobiologics and ACDF

Helping clinicians to improve patient outcomes was the primary focus of the AO-GO guidelines. However, developing the guidelines has had additional benefits. The AO-GO project has connected surgeons and researchers with varied backgrounds in terms of culture, experience, and treatment preferences from across the world. As a result, the AO-GO team has grown into a global community of experts in degenerative spine disease that consists of 73 members from 22 countries.

Thanks to this diverse group of participants, the guideline is applicable internationally. Furthermore, working on the AO-GO guidelines provided fantastic opportunities for each of the members to contribute their unique expertise and gain new skills. This included the chance to lead study teams and practice leadership and teamwork skills.

Sathish Muthu sees many opportunities that being a part of the AO-GO team have on his clinical practice:

Amit Jain also emphasizes the importance of collaborations:

AO Spine and AO Spine Knowledge Forum Degenerative provided a boost to the AO-GO team

The development of the AO-GO Guidelines would not have been possible without the incredible support provided by the AO Spine and AO Spine Knowledge Forum Degenerative (KF Degen) networks. AO Spine is the leading global academic community for innovative education and research in spine care, inspiring lifelong learning and improving patients' lives. AO Spine KF Degen works on exciting and innovative projects to understand and treat degenerative spinal disorders.

Both of these networks facilitated the identification of an international group of ACDF experts with a passion for osteobiologics to form the AO-GO team. Furthermore, the expert steering committees of these respective networks provided invaluable guidance and mentorship to the AO-GO members, allowing them to produce robust guidelines of the highest standard. Funding provided by KF Degen enabled the AO-GO team to consult with top-level experts in the field on the content of the guidelines. In addition, the project management and coordination provided by AO Spine helped to transform the guidelines from a concept into a reality. As a result of their engagement with AO-GO AO Spine and KF Degen also saw positive outcomes which included new members for KF Degen and an overall boost in participation in AO Spine’s spine degenerative research.

Patrick Hsieh sees a long-term impact in the collaboration for improving patient outcomes:

The AO-GO project is a fantastic example of what can be achieved when stakeholders work together: great results for patients and the spine community alike. Here’s to teamwork!