Objective There is increased use of 3-dimensional (3D)-printing for manufacturing of interbody cages to create microscale surface features that promote bone formation. Those features may be vulnerable to abrasion and/or delamination during cage impaction. Our objective was to quantify loss of mass and changes in surface topography of 3D-printed titanium interbody cages due to surgical impaction.
Methods Eight surfaces of four 3D-printed titanium modular interbody fusion cages were tested. The cages were impacted into the Sawbones model with compression preload of either 200N or 400N using a guided 1-lb (0.45 kg) drop weight. Mass and surface roughness parameters of each endplate were recorded and compared for differences.
Results Significant weight loss was observed for the superior endplate group and for both 200N and 400N preloads. For pooled data comparison, significant postimpaction decreases were observed for mean roughness, root-mean-squared roughness, mean roughness depth, and total height of roughness profile. No significant differences were observed for profile skewness and kurtosis. There were significant changes in almost all roughness parameters in the anterior region of the cage postimpaction with significant changes in 2 out of 6 parameters in the middle, posterior, and central regions postimpaction.
Conclusion Three-dimensional-printed titanium interbody fusion cages underwent loss of mass and alteration in surface topography during benchtop testing replicating physiologic conditions. There was an endplate- and region-specific postimpaction change in roughness parameters. The anterior surface experienced the largest change in surface parameters postimpaction. Our results have implications for future cage design and pre-approval testing of 3D-printed implants.
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Radiographic Evaluation of a Modular Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF) Cage: Subsidence and Segmental Lordosis Harvinder Bhatti, Nathan R Wanderman, Jessica L Shellock, Richard D Guyer, Donna D Ohnmeiss, Kelly Van Schouwen, Nicholas Spina Cureus.2026;[Epub] CrossRef
Objective Biportal endoscopic transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (BE-TLIF) is an emerging, minimally invasive technique performed under biportal endoscopic guidance. However, concerns regarding cage subsidence and sufficient fusion during BE-TLIF necessitate careful selection of an appropriate interbody cage to improve surgical outcomes. This study compared the fusion rate, subsidence, and other radiographic parameters according to the material and size of the cages used in BE-TLIF.
Methods In this retrospective cohort study, patients who underwent single-segment BE-TLIF between April 2019 and February 2023 were divided into 3 groups: group A, regular-sized three-dimensionally (3D)-printed titanium cages; group B, regular-sized polyetheretherketone cages; and group C, large-sized 3D-printed titanium cages. Radiographic parameters, including lumbar lordosis, segmental lordosis, anterior and posterior disc heights, disc angle, and foraminal height, were measured before and after surgery. The fusion rate and severity of cage subsidence were compared between the groups.
Results No significant differences were noted in the demographic data or radiographic parameters between the groups. The fusion rate on 1-year postoperative computed tomography was comparable between the groups. The cage subsidence rate was significantly lower in group C than in group A (41.9% vs. 16.7%, p=0.044). The severity of cage subsidence was significantly lower in group C (0.93±0.83) than in groups A (2.20±1.84, p=0.004) and B (1.79±1.47, p=0.048).
Conclusion Cage materials did not affect the 1-year postoperative outcomes of BE-TLIF; however, subsidence was markedly reduced in large cages. Larger cages may provide more stable postoperative segments.
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Objective To compare the clinical efficacy of anterior column reconstruction using single or double titanium mesh cage (TMC) after total en bloc spondylectomy (TES) of thoracic and lumbar spinal tumors.
Methods A retrospective cohort study was performed involving 39 patients with thoracic or lumbar spinal tumors. All patients underwent TES, followed by anterior reconstruction and screw-rod instrumentation via a posterior-only procedure. Twenty-two patients in group A were treated with a single TMC to reconstruct the anterior column, whereas 17 patients in group B were reconstructed with double TMCs.
Results The overall follow-up is 20.5 ± 4.6 months. There is no significant difference between the 2 groups regarding age, sex, body mass index, tumor location, operative time, and intraoperative blood loss. The time for TMC placement was significantly shortened in the double TMCs group (5.2 ± 1.3 minutes vs. 15.6 ± 3.3 minutes, p = 0.004). Additionally, postoperative neural complications were significantly reduced with double TMCs (5/22 vs. 0/17, p = 0.046). The kyphotic Cobb angle and mean intervertebral height were significantly corrected in both groups (p ≤ 0.001), without obvious loss of correction at the last follow-up in either group. The bone fusion rates for single TMC and double TMCs were 77.3% and 76.5%, respectively.
Conclusion Using 2 smaller TMCs instead of a single large one eases the placement of TMC by shortening the time and avoiding nerve impingement. Anterior column reconstruction with double TMC is a clinically feasible, and safe alternative following TES for thoracic and lumbar tumors.
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3D-printed tantalum artificial vertebral body or titanium mesh in anterior column reconstruction post-spondylectomy for thoracic vertebral tumors: a retrospective comparative cohort study and finite element analysis Hui Lv, Meitao Xu, Qiuchi Ai, Fuyou Wang, Zhongrong Zhang, Tianyong Hou Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
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Neurospine 2023;20(2):451-463. Published online June 30, 2023
Interbody fusion is a workhorse technique in lumbar spine surgery that facilities indirect decompression, sagittal plane realignment, and successful bony fusion. The 2 most commonly employed cage materials are titanium (Ti) alloy and polyetheretherketone (PEEK). While Ti alloy implants have superior osteoinductive properties they more poorly match the biomechanical properties of cancellous bones. Newly developed 3-dimensional (3D)-printed porous titanium (3D-pTi) address this disadvantage and are proposed as a new standard for lumbar interbody fusion (LIF) devices. In the present study, the literature directly comparing 3D-pTi and PEEK interbody devices is systematically reviewed with a focus on fusion outcomes and subsidence rates reported in the in vitro, animal, and human literature. A systematic review directly comparing outcomes of PEEK and 3D-pTi interbody spinal cages was performed. PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were searched according to PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis) guidelines. Mean Newcastle-Ottawa Scale score for cohort studies was 6.4. A total of 7 eligible studies were included, comprising a combination of clinical series, ovine animal data, and in vitro biomechanical studies. There was a total population of 299 human and 59 ovine subjects, with 134 human (44.8%) and 38 (64.4%) ovine models implanted with 3D-pTi cages. Of the 7 studies, 6 reported overall outcomes in favor of 3D-pTi compared to PEEK, including subsidence and osseointegration, while 1 study reported neutral outcomes for device related revision and reoperation rate. Though limited data are available, the current literature supports 3D-pTi interbodies as offering superior fusion outcomes relative to PEEK interbodies for LIF without increasing subsidence or reoperation risk. Histologic evidence suggests 3D-Ti to have superior osteoinductive properties that may underlie these superior outcomes, but additional clinical investigation is merited.
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Objective Three-dimensional (3D)-printed titanium implants have been developed recently, but the utility is not yet proven. The aim of this study was to compare 3D-printed titanium and polyetheretherketone (PEEK) implants after minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF).
Methods Between October 2018 and September 2021, we retrospectively analyzed 83 patients who underwent single-level MIS-TLIF (3D-printed titanium, 40; PEEK, 43). Radiologic parameters were assessed with x-ray and computed tomography (CT) at postoperative 1 week, 6 months, and 1 year. Clinical status was evaluated using Oswestry Disability Index, visual analogue scale score, and Bridwell fusion grading was assessed on 6-month and 1-year postoperative CT.
Results There were no differences between the 2 groups in demographics and clinical outcomes. At 1-year of follow-up, the reported 3D-printed titanium fusion grades were grade I: 77.5% (31 patients), grade II: 17.5% (7 patients), and grade III: 5% (2 patients). The PEEK fusion grades were grade I: 51.2% (22 patients), grade II: 41.9% (18 patients), and grade III: 7.0% (3 patients). For overall fusion rate (grade I + II), there was no difference between the 2 cages (95.0% vs. 93.0%, p = 0.705), but grade I was reported at a higher incidence in 3D-printed titanium than PEEK (77.5% vs. 51.2%, p = 0.013). There was no difference between cages based on subsidence and complications.
Conclusion There were no significant differences in the overall fusion rate for MIS-TLIF surgery between 3D-printed titanium and PEEK, but the fusion grade was better in 3D-printed titanium than in PEEK. Long-term follow-up is required to verify the effectiveness.
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Objective This retrospective study aimed to compare vertebral endplate cyst formation (VECF), an early predictor for pseudoarthrosis, in different types of interbody cages.
Methods We reviewed 84 cases treated with single-level posterior/transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion. We utilized a polyetheretherketone cage in 20 cases (group P), a titanium cage in 16 cases (group Ti), a titanium-coating polyetheretherketone cage in 13 cases (group TiP) and a porous tantalum cage in 35 cases (group Tn). VECF was evaluated comparing the computed tomography scans taken at day 0 and 6-month postoperation. We defined VECF (+) as enlargement of a pre-existing cyst or de novo formation of a cyst with the diameter over 2 mm. We calculated the adjusted odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) as an indicator of association between different types of cages and VECF using a logistic regression model.
Results VECF was observed in 13 (65%), 7 (44%), 9 (69%), and 8 (23%) cases in groups P, Ti, TiP and Tn, respectively. VECF correlated with the type of cage (p = 0.04). In comparison with group P, the proportion of VECF (+) cases was lower in group Tn (OR, 0.16; 95% CI, 0.04–0.60) but not different in group Ti (OR, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.10–2.20) and group TiP (OR, 1.06; 95% CI, 0.21–5.28). No patient underwent additional surgery for the fused spinal level during the follow-up periods (average, 37.9 months; range, 6–76 months).
Conclusion VECF was the least in the porous Tn cage, suggesting its potential superiority for initial stability.
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Objective To analyze the electrical resistance of a newly developed neuromonitoring pedicle screw (Neuro-PS) and to verify the electrophysiologic properties of the Neuro-PS in a pig model.
Methods We developed 2 types of the Neuro-PS in which a gold lead was located internally (type I) and externally (type II). We measured the electrical resistance of the Neuro-PS and the conventional screw and analyzed the electrical thresholds of triggered EMG (t-EMG) of each screw by intentionally penetrating the medial pedicle wall and contacting the exiting nerve root in a pig model.
Results The electrical resistances of the Neuro-PS were remarkably lower than that of the conventional screw. In electrophysiologic testing, only the type II Neuro-PS under the leadnerve contact condition showed a significantly lower stimulation threshold as compared to the conventional screw.
Conclusion The Neuro-PS demonstrated lower electrical resistances than the conventional screw. The type II Neuro-PS under the lead-nerve contact condition showed a significantly lower stimulation threshold compared to that of the other screws in the t-EMG test.
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Results A total of 1,094 patients from 11 studies were reviewed. The final analysis included 421 patients (38.5%) who had lumbar surgery using a Ti and/or a Ti-coated interbody cage and 673 patient (61.5%) who had lumbar surgery using a PEEK cage. Overall, PEEK interbody devices were associated with a significantly lower fusion rate compared with Ti interbody devices (OR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.41–0.93; p = 0.02). There was no difference in subsidence rates between Ti and PEEK groups (OR, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.54–1.52; p = 0.71). Also, there were no statistically significant differences in visual analogue scale (VAS)-low back pain (p = 0.14) and Japanese Orthopedic Association scale (p = 0.86) between the 2 groups. However, the PEEK group had lower odds of leg pain after surgery compared to the Ti group (OR [VAS-leg], 0.61; 95% CI, 0.28–0.94; p = 0.003).
Conclusion Ti and Ti-coated PEEK cages used for posterior lumbar interbody fusion are associated with similar rates of subsidence, but a higher rate of fusion compared to PEEK interbody cages. Randomized controlled trials are needed to better assess the effect of cage materials and potential factors that could influence the outcomes of interbody lumbar fusion.
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Comparison of MRI Visualization Following Minimally Invasive and Open TLIF: A Retrospective Single-Center Study Vadim A. Byvaltsev, Andrei A. Kalinin, Morgan B. Giers, Valerii V. Shepelev, Yurii Ya. Pestryakov, Mikhail Yu. Biryuchkov Diagnostics.2021; 11(5): 906. CrossRef
Polyetheretherketone for orthopedic applications: a review Yi-Hsun Yu, Shih-Jung Liu Current Opinion in Chemical Engineering.2021; 32: 100687. CrossRef
A Prospective, Multi-Center, Double-Blind, Randomized Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of the Synthetic Bone Graft Material DBM Gel with rhBMP-2 versus DBM Gel Used during the TLIF Procedure in Patients with Lumbar Disc Disease Seung-Jae Hyun, Seung Hwan Yoon, Joo Han Kim, Jae Keun Oh, Chang-Hyun Lee, Jun Jae Shin, Jiin Kang, Yoon Ha Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society.2021; 64(4): 562. CrossRef
Anterior Bridging Bone in a Newly Designed Cage for Lumbar Interbody Fusion: Radiographic and Finite Element Analysis Jeongik Lee, Seung-Hwan Chang, Hyung-Chul Cho, Kwang-Sup Song World Neurosurgery.2021; 154: e389. CrossRef
PEEK Versus Titanium Static Interbody Cages Jose A. Canseco, Brian A. Karamian, Parthik D. Patel, Srikanth N. Divi, Tyler Timmons, Haydn Hallman, Ryan Nachwalter, Joseph K. Lee, Mark F. Kurd, D. Greg Anderson, Jeffrey A. Rihn, Alan S. Hilibrand, Christopher K. Kepler, Alexander R. Vaccaro, Gregory Clinical Spine Surgery.2021; 34(8): E483. CrossRef
Efficacy for Whitlockite for Augmenting Spinal Fusion Su Yeon Kwon, Jung Hee Shim, Yu Ha Kim, Chang Su Lim, Seong Bae An, Inbo Han International Journal of Molecular Sciences.2021; 22(23): 12875. CrossRef
Polyetheretherketone and Its Composites for Bone Replacement and Regeneration Chengzhu Liao, Yuchao Li, Sie Chin Tjong Polymers.2020; 12(12): 2858. CrossRef
PEEK versus titanium cages in lateral lumbar interbody fusion: a comparative analysis of subsidence Peter G. Campbell, David A. Cavanaugh, Pierce Nunley, Philip A. Utter, Eubulus Kerr, Rishi Wadhwa, Marcus Stone Neurosurgical Focus.2020; 49(3): E10. CrossRef
In this article, research trend of biomaterials for spinal fusion was summarized with an emphasis on hydroxyapatite (HA), titanium(Ti), and polyetheretherketone (PEEK) as representatives of ceramics, metals, and polymers, respectively. Ceramic materials represented by HA are highly biocompatible but have low strength and fracture toughness, so there has been much effort to improve these mechanical properties. Metals such as titanium, Ti, are mechanically strong but have a drawback of stress shielding effect, which can be avoided by fabricating into porous body. Also there have been many researches to improve the biocompatibility of PEEK, which has been widely used recently as a substitute to Ti.
OBJECTIVE The clinical and radiographic success of a two-level discectomy and autologous iliac bone fusion with anterior cervical plate fixation (ACDFP) was compared with that of a one-level corpectomy and fusion using a titanium mesh cage (corpectomy) for the treatment of degenerative cervical disc disease. METHODS From January 2004 to December 2007, there were 45 consecutive cases of two disc level degenerative cervical disc disease treated with either ACDFP or corpectomy. The medical records and radiological studies were reviewed, retrospectively. The clinical outcomes were measured using Odom's criteria. The radiologic assessment was performed using images showing the lordosis and bony fusion. RESULTS Twenty-seven patients were treated with ACDFP.
Eighteen patients were treated with corpectomy. The clinical outcome was excellent or good in 25 cases (93%) and 17 cases (94%) treated with ACDFP and corpectomy, respectively. The fusion rate was 96% and 94% for ACDFP and corpectomy, respectively. There was a slight increase in the cervical lordosis in both groups, but there was no significant difference between the 2 groups. There were no irriversible complications in both groups. Reversible complications were encountered in 1 case of corpectomy, and 7 cases of ACDFP, which were mainly associated with donor site. CONCLUSION Either a ACDFP or a corpectomy provides good clinical outcome and similar bone fusion rates for degenerative disc diseases. However, absence of donor site complications makes a corpectomy better than ACDFP.
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