Porous Tantalum in Spinal Surgery: an Overview

Overview

Journal Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol

Specialty Orthopedics

Date 2015 Jun 8

PMID 26050235

Citations 21

Authors

Marko Hanc

Samo Karel Fokter

Matjaz Vogrin

Andrej Molicnik

Gregor Recnik

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Porous tantalum is an open-cell metal structure that approximates the appearance of human cancellous bone. It has a low modulus of elasticity, close to that of subchondral and cancellous bones, leading to better load transfer and minimizing the stress-shielding phenomenon. Its coefficient of friction is one of the highest among biomaterials, allowing for sufficient primary stabilization of implants, possibly even without screw fixation. Different fusion rates have been achieved in anterior cervical fusion, which lead to contradictory views among spine surgeons. However, in the lumbar spine, trabecular metal has been demonstrated to be effective in obtaining fusion and improving patient outcomes after anterior as well as posterior lumbar interbody fusion.

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