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Expandable Interbody Fusion Cages: An Editorial on the Surgeon's Perspective on Recent Technological Advances and Their Biomechanical Implications
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Expandable Interbody Fusion Cages: An Editorial on the Surgeon's Perspective on Recent Technological Advances and Their Biomechanical Implications

Kai-Uwe Lewandrowski, Lisa Ferrara and Boyle Cheng
International journal of spine surgery, v 14(s3), pp S56-S62
01 Dec 2020
PMID: 33122184
url
https://doi.org/10.14444/7127View
Published, Version of Record (VoR) Open

Abstract

Life Sciences & Biomedicine Science & Technology Surgery
Background: Expandable cages have gone through several iterations since they first appeared on the market in the early 2000s. Their development was prompted by some common problems associated with static interbody cages, including migration, expulsion, dural or neural traction injury, and pseudarthrosis. Objective: To summarize current technological advances from earlier expandable lumbar interbody fusion devices to implants with vertical and medial-to-lateral expansion mechanisms. Methods: The authors review the currently available expandable cage designs, the incremental technological advances, and how these devices impact minimally invasive surgery interbody procedures and clinical outcomes. The strategic concepts intended to improve the minimally invasive application of expandable interbody fusion implants are reviewed from a surgeon's perspective in a clinical context to discuss how their use may improve patient outcomes. Conclusions: The geometrical configuration, effective stiffness of composite multi-material cage designs may impact the bone-implant contact area with the endplates. Hybridization strategies of expandable cage technology with modern minimally invasive and endoscopic spinal surgery techniques are presented by outlining their advantages and disadvantages. Level of Evidence: 1 Clinical Relevance: Systematic review.

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23 citations in Scopus

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Web of Science research areas
Surgery
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