title: Resorbable polymer implants in unilateral transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  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.affiliation: Woodridge Orthopaedic Spine Specialists, Wheat Ridge, Colorado, USA.
authors.forename: Thomas G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Lowe
authors.forename: Jeffrey D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Coe
mesh_terms: D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015194:Diffusion Chambers, Culture; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000187:drug effects / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011091:Polyesters / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013123:Spinal Fusion; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011091:Polyesters; C033616:poly(lactide)