HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Madigan, L. Articles by Lee, J. Y. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Madigan, L. Articles by Lee, J. Y.

Bioabsorbable Interbody Spacers

Dr. Madigan is Resident Physician, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and the Rothman Institute, Philadelphia, PA. Dr. Vaccaro is Attending Orthopaedic Surgeon, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, and Codirector, Reconstructive Spine Services, the Rothman Institute and Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. Dr. Lim is Assistant Professor, Orthopaedic Surgery, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC. Dr. Lee is Assistant Professor, Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA.

Dr. Vaccaro serves as a consultant to Medtronic Sofamor Danek. None of the following authors or the departments with which they are affiliated has received anything of value from or owns stock in a commercial company or institution related directly or indirectly to the subject of this article: Dr. Madigan, Dr. Lim, and Dr. Lee.

Reprint requests: Dr. Lee, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Suite 1010, 3471 5th Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213.

Bioabsorbable polymers have been used in surgery for more than four decades. With increased reliability and decreased incidence of complications, their application has become widespread. Although their role in spinal surgery continues to evolve, the theoretic biomechanical and biologic advantages over contemporary metallic and composite implant materials make bioabsorbable interbody spacers an attractive alternative. The lack of artifact on postoperative imaging studies and the ability to load share across fusion sites in a time-dependent manner can lead to more accurate fusion assessment and increased fusion rates. The preliminary data from small, short-term studies are promising. However, larger studies with long-term follow-up are lacking. The theoretic advantages of bioabsorbable materials must be tempered by the lack of long-term clinical evidence of their benefit. Until the results of more studies in human spinal applications become available, the precise indications for the use of bioabsorbable interbody spacers will continue to evolve.