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Updated: Jun 22, 2026
08:38
Three-dimensional Navigation-guided, Prone, Single-position, Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion Technique
Published on: July 15, 2021
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Expandable Cages for Lumbar Interbody Fusion: A Narrative Review
Soo-Bin Lee1, Jonghun Yoon2, Sung-Jun Park3
1Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Catholic Kwandong University International St. Mary's Hospital, Incheon 22711, Republic of Korea.
Journal of Clinical Medicine
|May 25, 2024
Summary
Expandable cages offer advantages for minimally invasive lumbar fusion surgery, but long-term outcomes require further study. These devices can be inserted small and expanded in situ, potentially improving results compared to static cages.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Neurosurgery
- Spinal Surgery
Background:
- Degenerative spinal diseases necessitate advanced surgical treatments.
- Anterior interbody fusion techniques and specialized cages are evolving.
- Expandable cages represent a recent innovation in lumbar interbody fusion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current status of expandable cages for lumbar interbody fusion.
- To analyze the clinical outcomes associated with expandable cage use.
- To discuss the future prospects of this technology in spinal surgery.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of existing studies on expandable cages for lumbar interbody fusion.
- Analysis of clinical outcomes, including comparisons with static cages.
- Evaluation of suitability for minimally invasive spinal surgeries.
Main Results:
- Expandable cages can be inserted in a smaller form and expanded within the disc space.
- Generally superior clinical outcomes are reported for expandable cages versus static cages.
- Some studies indicate comparable or poorer outcomes, necessitating further long-term evaluation.
Conclusions:
- Expandable cages show promise for minimally invasive spinal surgeries.
- Further long-term follow-up is crucial to fully assess their utility and address potential shortcomings.
- Continued development could establish expandable cages as valuable surgical tools.
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