PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Chan, Julie L.
AU  - Bae, Hyun W.
AU  - Harrison Farber, S.
AU  - Uribe, Juan S.
AU  - Eastlack, Robert K.
AU  - Walker, Corey T.
TI  - Evolution of Bioactive Implants in Lateral Interbody Fusion
AID  - 10.14444/8237
DP  - 2022 Apr 01
TA  - International Journal of Spine Surgery
PG  - S61--S68
VI  - 16
IP  - S1
4099  - https://www.ijssurgery.com/content/16/S1/S61.short
4100  - https://www.ijssurgery.com/content/16/S1/S61.full
SO  - Int J Spine Surg2022 Apr 01; 16
AB  - Lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) is an advantageous approach for spinal arthrodesis for a wide range of spinal disorders including degenerative, genetic, and traumatic conditions. LLIF techniques have evolved over the past 15 years regarding surgical approach, with concomitant improvements in implant material design. Bioactive materials have been a focus in the development of novel methods, which reduce the risk of subsidence and pseudarthrosis. Historically, polyetheretherketone and titanium cages have been selected for their advantageous biomechanical properties; however, both have their limitations, regarding optimal modulus or osseointegrative properties. Recent modifications to these 2 materials have focused on devising bioactive implants, which may enhance the rate of bony fusion in spinal arthrodesis by addressing the shortcomings of each. Specific emphasis has been placed on developing improvements in surface coating, porosity, microroughness, and nanotopography of interbody cages. This has been coupled with advances in additive manufacturing to generate cages with ideal biomechanical properties. Three-dimensional-printed titanium cages may be particularly beneficial in spinal arthrodesis during LLIF and reduce the historical rates of subsidence and pseudarthrosis by combining a number of these putatively beneficial biomaterial properties.