Feasibility of a resorbable anterior cervical graft containment plate

In this article we review the background of anterior cervical plating for one- and two-level diskectomy for degenerative disease and provide background justification for the design and testing of a cervical plate composed of a resorbable material. The design of the plate is discussed with special reference to modifications of implant design and implant tools compared with metallic plates that are necessary because of the different mechanical properties of the less rigid material. Our cadaveric and animal in vivo testing methodologies are described and a novel testing method for reliably quantifying graft containment is also described. Data from a representative sample are presented. Advantages and disadvantages of resorbable plating are discussed.