3D-Printed Titanium Cages for Anterior and Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion Result in Excellent Fusion Rates One Year After Surgery.

Abstract

Study DesignRetrospective study.ObjectiveTo determine the fusion rate in patients undergoing anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) and/or lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) with titanium cages.MethodsFusion at 1-year was assessed by computed tomography (CT) using Lenke-Bridwell classification. Flexion-extension lateral radiographs confirmed fusion if motion was <5° through the fused segment. Perioperative metrics including bone graft type, operative time, estimated blood loss, revisions within the first postoperative year, clinical outcome assessed by the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI).ResultsOne hundred patients with a total of 137 fusion levels with 3DPTi cages were identified. In this cohort, 75% underwent primary surgery and 25% had a previous surgery. At 1-year post-op, 97.1% of interbody levels were fused (Grade I) on CT, and all levels appeared fused on flexion-extension radiographs. Four patients (4%) required additional surgery within the first two years. No revisions were required for cage subsidence/migration, or pseudoarthrosis. Median ODI significantly improved from 39 at baseline to 10 at 1-year (<i>P</i> = .001).Conclusion3D-printed titanium cages for ALIF and LLIF result in excellent fusion rates at one year postoperatively without the use of rhBMP-2.