Characteristics and Efficacy of a New 3-Dimensional Printed Mesh Structure Titanium Alloy Spacer for Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion.

This study evaluated the characteristics of a newly developed 3-dimensional printed mesh structure titanium spacer and its efficacy for posterior lumbar interbody fusion. Posterior lumbar interbody fusion with this spacer was performed at 53 segments (40 patients; mean age, 64 years; range, 51-73 years). Data were collected prospectively. Radiographic characteristics were analyzed with changes in interbody height, instability of the segments, formation of bone bridges around the implants, and pseudarthrosis, as determined by dynamic radiographs and postoperative computed tomography scans. Clinical outcomes were evaluated with the visual analog scale for the low back and extremities, the Oswestry Disability Index, and the 36-Item Short Form Survey. Radiographically, preoperative anterior and posterior interbody height was significantly increased immediately postoperatively (P<.05), and this increase was maintained until the last follow-up. No segmental motion of 3° or greater was noted at the last follow-up. Sagittal computed tomography images showed complete anterior bone bridges for 94.3% of cases and complete posterior bone bridges for 86.7% of cases. Coronal computed tomography images showed bilateral complete bone bridges for 94.3% of cases and unilateral bone bridges for 5.7% of cases without incomplete bilateral bone bridges. No pseudarthrosis or revision, particularly including posterior lumbar interbody fusion at L5-S1, was noted. Compared with preoperative values, the visual analog scale score for the low back and extremities, the Oswestry Disability Index, and the 36-Item Short Form Survey score showed significant improvement at the last follow-up (P<.05). Posterior lumbar interbody fusion with a newly developed 3-dimensional printed mesh structure titanium spacer showed satisfactory radiographic and clinical results, with no cases of pseudarthrosis or revision, including posterior lumbar interbody fusion at L5-S1. [Orthopedics. 2017; 40(5):e880-e885.].