Bioabsorbable anterior lumbar plate fixation in conjunction with anterior interbody fusion cages

An in vitro biomechanical study was conducted to determine the effects of anterior stabilization on lumbar interbody cage fusion biomechanics in a multilevel human cadaveric lumbar model. 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. Coupled with the bioabsorbability of the plating material, the bioabsorbable anterior lumbar plating system is considered biomechanically advantageous.