Bioabsorbable anterior cervical plating: initial multicenter clinical and radiographic experience

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Neurosurgery
• Biomaterials Science

Background:

• Titanium implants for anterior cervical discectomy and fusions (ACDF) can cause long-term complications and imaging artifacts.
• Bioabsorbable polymer plates offer a novel alternative for internal fixation in ACDF.
• This study evaluates the initial multicenter experience with bioabsorbable polymer plates in ACDF.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the safety and efficacy of bioabsorbable polymer plates for 1-level degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine.
• To compare fusion rates and complications with traditional metallic implants.
• To evaluate the clinical and radiographic outcomes of ACDF using bioabsorbable plates.

Main Methods:

• Prospective enrollment of 52 patients across 6 US institutions.
• Retrospective review of clinical and radiographic outcomes after ACDF with bioabsorbable plates.
• Analysis of fusion rates, complications, and local reactions to the material.

Main Results:

• Radiographic fusion achieved in 98.1% of patients at 6 months.
• One case of asymptomatic nonunion; one patient with kyphosis and persistent radicular symptoms.
• No clinical signs or symptoms of adverse reaction to the bioabsorbable material.

Conclusions:

• Bioabsorbable polymer plates demonstrate fusion rates comparable to metallic implants in single-level ACDF.
• The novel technology appears effective and well-tolerated, suggesting potential as an alternative to titanium.
• Further randomized controlled studies are needed to confirm these preliminary findings.