Usefulness of Carbon Cage in Posterior Lumbar Intervertebral Fusion

Abstract

We have been using posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) for degenerative lumbar diseases. Our indications for PLIF are spondylolisthesis, local angulation and segmental instability.
In this report, we studied 33 cases (spondylolisthesis; 16 cases, spondylolytic spondylolisthesis; 3 cases, lumbar disc hernia; 7 cases, degenerative lumbar canal stenosis; 4 cases, lumbar kyphosis; 3 cases). The mean age at operation was 57 years old (16 to 84). The patients were followed up for more than 1 year, and the mean follow-up was 26 months (13 to 49). We assessed bony union and changes in disc height in serious radiographs. Bony union was confirmed in all cases. The disc height was 0.52 at the first stand and 0.48 at the last follow up. Eight percent loss of the disc height occurred. No particular problems were encountered around surgery and during follow-up.
Carbon cage proved to be a useful tool for PLIF in degenerative lumbar diseases.