OBJECT: Sixty patients underwent instrumentation-assisted posterior transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) with resorbable polymer cages and autograft bone for degenerative disease. This article discusses the technique of TLIF and its early outcomes. METHODS: Although the follow-up period is short and results are preliminary, no adverse events or complications were attributed to the resorbable polymer. CONCLUSIONS: Further multicenter clinical studies are underway with a minimum 2-year follow-up period chosen as an endpoint to provide insight as to the future of biodegradable polymers as spinal interbody devices.
OBJECT: Sixty patients underwent instrumentation-assisted posterior transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) with resorbable polymer cages and autograft bone for degenerative disease. This article discusses the technique of TLIF and its early outcomes. METHODS: Although the follow-up period is short and results are preliminary, no adverse events or complications were attributed to the resorbable polymer. CONCLUSIONS: Further multicenter clinical studies are underway with a minimum 2-year follow-up period chosen as an endpoint to provide insight as to the future of biodegradable polymers as spinal interbody devices.
Authors: R Pflugmacher; T Eindorf; M Scholz; S Gumnior; C Krall; P Schleicher; N P Haas; F Kandziora Journal: Chirurg Date: 2004-10 Impact factor: 0.955