Applications of a resorbable interbody spacer in posterior lumbar interbody fusion.

Polyhydroxy acids are a promising class of resorbable materials with potential applications in spinal surgery. One such polymer, MacroPore (MacroPore Biosurgery, Inc.), offers a balance of strength, predictable degradation, lack of stimulus of foreign body reaction, and biocompatibility with neural tissue. MacroPore can be formed into an array of shapes and can be manufactured, sterilized, and stored using conventional techniques. Limited clinical experience has been gained with resorbable implants used as load-sharing devices in a posterior lumbar interbody fusion construct.