2022, Vol. 26 ›› Issue (22): 3592-3597

Materials of interbody fusion cage: advantages and focus of clinical application

Jin Herong1, Cui Jingbin1, Shao Cang2   

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Interbody fusion cage has become an indispensable implant in spinal surgery. With the development of materials science and 3D printing technology, the application prospects of different materials need to be studied.
OBJECTIVE: To analyze in detail and prospect the materials of interbody fusion cage in combination with the latest clinical data and the research and development of new materials.
METHODS: The first author searched CNKI, VIP, PubMed, Elsevier and other databases from January 1989 to December 2020 by computer, focusing on the current clinical application of interbody fusion cage materials in spinal surgery with key words of “Interbody fusion cage, Biocompatibility, Orthopedic implants, Spinal surgery, 3D printing interbody fusion cage, Biodegradable materials, PEEK fusion cage, Silicon nitride fusion cage” in English and Chinese.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: There are a variety of interbody fusion cages, including metal materials, polymer materials, inorganic non-metal materials and composite materials. Currently, PEEK and its composite materials are commonly used in clinic. Other materials have new clinical data. With the development of 3D printing technology and the emergence of new materials for 3D printing, metal porous titanium alloy fusion cage has been highly evaluated in clinic. In addition, the filling materials in the cage hole gradually developed from autogenous bone and allogeneic bone to absorbable artificial bone and recombinant bone morphogenetic protein.
Key words: interbody fusion cage, biomaterials, spinal fusion, orthopedic implants, 3d printing technology, tissue engineering, polymer materials, biodegradable materials