Bioabsorbable anterior lumbar plate fixation in conjunction with cage-assisted anterior interbody fusion.
OBJECTIVE
An in vitro biomechanical study was conducted to determine the effects of anterior stabilization on cage-assisted lumbar interbody fusion biomechanics in a multilevel human cadaveric lumbar spine model.


METHODS
Three spine conditions were compared: harvested, bilateral multilevel cages (CAGES), and CAGES with bioabsorbable anterior plates (CBAP), tested under flexion-extension, lateral bending, and axial rotation. Measurements included vertebral motion, applied load, and bending/rotational moments. Application of anterior fixation decreased local motion and increased stiffness of the instrumented levels. Clinically, this spinal stability may serve to promote fusion.


CONCLUSIONS
Coupled with the bioabsorbability of the plating material, the bioabsorbable anterior lumbar plating system is considered biomechanically advantageous.
DiAngelo
Denis J
DJ
School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, USA.
Scifert
Jeffrey L
JL
Kitchel
Scott
S
Cornwall
G Bryan
GB
McVay
Bobby J
BJ
D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000368:Aged; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D001860:Bone Plates; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D015194:Diffusion Chambers, Culture; D005260:Female; D005592:Fracture Fixation; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011091:Polyesters / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013123:Spinal Fusion; D013124:Spinal Injuries / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011091:Polyesters; C033616:poly(lactide)