ORIGINAL ARTICLES   

Journal of Neurosurgical Sciences 2005 December;49(4):137-41

Copyright © 2006 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Posterior lumbar interbody fusion with peek cages: personal experience with 20 patients

Desogus N. ¹, Ennas F. ², Leuze R. ¹, Maleci A. ²

¹ Department of Neurosurgery University of Florence, Florence, Italy 2 Department of Neurosurgery University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy

Aim. The use of interbody cages to obtain fusion in the lumbar spine has increased noticeably in the last few years. They are used both with and without posterior stabilization. In our institution a prospective analysis to determine whether PEEK cages can be used as a stand alone device has been performed.
Methods. The 20 patients with PEEK cages had clinical and radiological follow-up with controls at 1, 3, 6 and 9 months.
Results. The clinical results were considered satisfactory in 75% of the cases. There were no intra-or perioperative complications. There was no displacement of the cages. No signs of unsuccessful fusion were observed.
Conclusions. Interbody PEEK cages fulfill the objective of stabilizing the treated segment immediately and subsequently. They can be used as stand alone devices with the correct surgical technique and following precise indications.