Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) cages for cervical interbody replacement

ObjectiveThis study evaluates the efficiency of interbody polyetheretherketone (PEEK) cage implantation in 52 consecutive cases related for discogenic cervical disorders with radiculopathy or myelopathy.Material and methodsBetween the years 2010 and 2012, 52 patients were treated with cervical interbody fusion using a PEEK cage. There were 27 male and 25 female patients and the mean age was 46 years (range, 21–82 years). PEEK cages were packed with bone grafts from anterior Superior vertebral body. Additional plating was used in some cases. The median duration of follow-up was 12 months (range, 6–36months). Cervical X-rays were routinely used in the follow-up to assess the fusion, pseudoarthrosis, kyphosis, cage migration, subsidence or breakage.ResultsNo implant insufficiency was observed in any case.ConclusionEfficient interbody replacement is still an ongoing problem in cervical surgery. Different techniques and materials have been developed to overcome this problem. The use of a cervical PEEK cage seems to be a good alternative in that it does not require bone graft harvesting from iliac crest for achieving cervical interbody replacement.