Early findings in a pilot study of anterior cervical fusion in which bioabsorbable interbody spacers were used

Abstract

Object. In this pilot study the authors assessed the efficacy of bioabsorbable interbody spacers in the treatment of cervical degenerative disease. Metallic cages or interbody spacers have been widely used in the treatment of degener- ative and traumatic cervical disease. Bioabsorbable technology has been used to develop a resorbable cage that can eliminate the complications and drawbacks seen with the use of traditional metallic implants. In general clinical prac- tice bioabsorbable implants have shown the ability to degrade safely while demonstrating optimal imaging character- istics as a result of their radiolucency, and these devices eliminate stress shielding by their gradual dissolution. Methods. This study is a retrospective evaluation of charts and x-ray films obtained in the first eight patients who underwent an anterior cervical decompression and fusion procedure with placement of a bioabsorbable interbody spac- er and anterior cervical plate. All patients were treated in one surgeon’s practice and had a minimum follow-up peri- od of at least 6 months. At a follow-up interval of approximately 7 months, five patients exhibited an excellent result and three had a good result; no patient was noted to have a satisfactory or poor outcome according to the Odom crite- ria at their most recent follow-up visit. Seventeen (94%) of 18 grafted levels appeared to be solidly fused. One patient experienced a perisurgical complication consisting of a symptomatic hematoma, which was successfully drained. Conclusions. Bioabsorbable interbody spacers appear to be a safe and effective interbody implant in terms of clin- ical outcome and radiographically confirmed healing.