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Home / Equine Research Bank / Orthopade / [Interbody fusion procedures. Development from a historical ...
Der Orthopade2015; 44(2); 104-113; doi: 10.1007/s00132-015-3076-1

[Interbody fusion procedures. Development from a historical perspective].

Abstract: The development of interbody fusion now stretches over many decades and is still not complete. Conclusions: Due to the lack of appropriate implants, the initial fusions were performed via decortication of the dorsal and lateral structures of the spine, followed by placement of an autograft. Despite acceptable fusion results, better primary stability and higher fusion rates were desired. In addition, it became known that the primary load-bearing of the spine is located ventrally in the area of the corpus of the vertebrae. These considerations led to the development of the PLIF technique that was introduced by Cloward in 1953 and gained significantly in popularity. After removal of the intervertebral disc, he positioned iliac crest bone blocks between the vertebral bodies. Based on this technique and these considerations, intervertebral implants were developed in the 1970s. The so-called Bagby Basket was the first intervertebral cage that was initially used in horses with wobbler syndrome. Other milestones in the improvement of the cage designs followed, resulting in the production of different implant shapes and materials. The elastic modulus of the interbody implants approached by modern materials became more and more similar to bone, so that subsidence of cages reduced and the fusion rate could be further increased. The primary stability could be further increased with screw-rod systems, so that dorsal instrumentation became the standard in the context of PLIF and TLIF procedures today. The TLIF procedure described by Harms was a new modification and minimized complications of lumbar fusions and reduced the invasiveness of the procedure. Conclusions: Nowadays a wide variety of implants and implantation techniques are available, making interbody fusions in PLIF and TLIF techniques safe and successful procedures.
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Publication Date: 2015-01-30 PubMed ID: 25626703DOI: 10.1007/s00132-015-3076-1Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

Interbody fusion procedures, which have been developing over several decades, are procedures that help in achieving spinal fusion. The paper traces the development of these procedures from initial fusions performed with autografts to the refined techniques of today that utilize a variety of implants and implantation techniques.

Early Interbody Fusion Procedures

  • The study elucidates on the early fusion procedures where due to lack of proper implants, fusions were conducted via decortication, a process of removing a bone surface, of the dorsal and lateral structures of the spine, with autograft placement following suit.
  • Desired improvements were needed in achieving better primary stability and higher fusion rates even though the initial results were satisfactory.

Development of PLIF Technique

  • The development of the Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (PLIF) technique marked a significant turn in fusion procedures. It became widely accepted after its introduction by Cloward in 1953.
  • To conduct a fusion using the PLIF technique, the intervertebral disc was removed and in its place, iliac crest bone blocks were place between the vertebral bodies.

Advent of Intervertebral Implants

  • The 1970s witnessed an evolution in the interbody fusion procedures with the development of intervertebral implants. The so-called Bagby Basket was the first of its kind and was initially used in horses suffering from wobbler syndrome.
  • Following this development, improvements in cage designs ensued resulting in implants of varying shapes and materials. The modern implants bear an elastic modulus similar to bone, reducing the chances of subsidence and increasing fusion rates.

Improvement in Stability with Screw-Rod Systems

  • This procedure’s primary stability saw a massive boost with the use of screw-rod systems, making the use of dorsal instrumentation standard in carrying out PLIF and Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) procedures.
  • The TLIF procedure, introduced by Harms, was an innovative modification that brought down the complications associated with lumbar fusions and made the procedure less invasive.

Conclusion

  • Today, interbody fusions in PLIF and TLIF techniques are considered safe and successful owing to the assortment of implants and implantation techniques available.

Cite This Article

APA
Rickert M, Rauschmann M, Fleege C, Behrbalk E, Harms J. (2015). [Interbody fusion procedures. Development from a historical perspective]. Orthopade, 44(2), 104-113. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00132-015-3076-1

Publication

Der Orthopade
ISSN: 1433-0431
NlmUniqueID: 0331266
Country: Germany
Language: ger
Volume: 44
Issue: 2
Pages: 104-113

Researcher Affiliations

Rickert, Marcus
  • Abteilung für Wirbelsäulenorthopädie, Orthopädische Universitätsklinik Friedrichsheim gGmbH, Marienburgstraße 2, 60528, Frankfurt a.M., Deutschland, marcus.rickert@friedrichsheim.de.
Rauschmann, Michael
    Fleege, C
      Behrbalk, E
        Harms, J

          MeSH Terms

          • Bone Plates
          • Bone Screws
          • Humans
          • Internal Fixators
          • Intervertebral Disc / surgery
          • Prostheses and Implants
          • Prosthesis Design
          • Spinal Fusion / instrumentation
          • Spinal Fusion / methods

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          Citations

          This article has been cited 3 times.
          1. Prabhu MC, Jacob KC, Patel MR, Pawlowski H, Vanjani NN, Singh K. History and Evolution of the Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion.. Neurospine 2022 Sep;19(3):479-491.
            doi: 10.14245/ns.2244122.061pubmed: 36203277google scholar: lookup
          2. Matos TD, Fleury RBC, Teixeira KO, Romero V, Defino HLA. CHANGES IN THE LUMBAR VERTEBRAL SEGMENT RELATED TO THE CAGE POSITION IN TLIF TECHNIQUE.. Acta Ortop Bras 2020 Mar-Apr;28(2):92-96.
            doi: 10.1590/1413-785220202802224215pubmed: 32425672google scholar: lookup
          3. Krieg SM, Meyer B. [Operative options for failed back surgery syndrome].. Orthopade 2016 Sep;45(9):732-7.
            doi: 10.1007/s00132-016-3309-ypubmed: 27541352google scholar: lookup
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