Evaluation of 70/30 poly (l-lactide-co-d,l-lactide) for Use as a Resorbable Interbody Fusion Cage

Authors

Jeffrey M. Toth, Marquette UniversityFollow
Bradley T. Estes, Duke University
Mei Wang, Marquette University
Howard Seim, Colorado State University - Fort CollinsFollow
Jeffrey L. Scifert, Medical College of Wisconsin
Anthony S. Turner, Colorado State UniversityFollow
G. Bryan Cornwall, Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering

Document Type

Article

Language

eng

Publication Date

11-2002

Publisher

American Association of Neurological Surgeons

Source Publication

Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine

Source ISSN

1547-5654

Abstract

Object. Titanium lumbar interbody spinal fusion devices are reported to be 90% effective in cases requiring single-level lumbar interbody arthrodesis, although radiographic determination of fusion has been debated.

Methods. Using blinded radiographic, biomechanical, histological, and statistical measures, researchers in the present study evaluated a radiolucent 70/30 poly(l-lactide-co-d,l-lactide) interbody fusion device packed with autograft or recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein—2 on a collagen sponge in 25 sheep at 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. A trend of increased fusion stiffness, radiographic fusion, and histologically confirmed fusion was demonstrated at 3 months to 24 months postimplantation. Device degradation was associated with a mild to moderate chronic inflammatory response at all postoperative sacrifice times.

Conclusions. Use of this material in interbody fusion may be a viable alternative to metals.

Comments

Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine, Vol. 97, No. 4 (November 2002): 423-432. DOI.

Recommended Citation

Toth, Jeffrey M.; Estes, Bradley T.; Wang, Mei; Seim, Howard; Scifert, Jeffrey L.; Turner, Anthony S.; and Cornwall, G. Bryan, "Evaluation of 70/30 poly (l-lactide-co-d,l-lactide) for Use as a Resorbable Interbody Fusion Cage" (2002). Biomedical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications. 506.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/bioengin_fac/506