Preliminary Application of 3D-Printed Interbody Fusion Devices in the Treatment of Lumbar Degenerative Diseases

Objectives : To investigate the effectiveness, safety, and usability of 3D-printed interbody fusion cages in posterior lumbar fusion surgery. Methods : This randomized controlled trial included 36 patients with single-stage lumbar degenerative disease undergoing PLIF surgery. The patients were divided into two groups: the control group (17 patients) used PEEK (polyetheretherketone) cages for interbody fusion, while the experimental group (19 patients) used 3D-printed cages. The study aimed to assess the postoperative effectiveness and safety of the surgeries using Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores, and to evaluate the stability and fusion effect of the cages through postoperative imaging. Results : All patients were followed up for 3 to 26 months. There were statistically significant differences (P<0.01) in VAS and ODI scores before and three months after surgery within both the control and experimental groups. No statistically significant differences (P>0.01) were found between the preoperative VAS and ODI scores of the two groups. However, there were statistically significant differences (P<0.01) in the postoperative VAS and ODI scores between the two groups. Postoperative X-rays and CT scans showed satisfactory placement of the anterior cages and pedicle screws in all patients. During the follow-up period, 3 out of 17 patients (17.6%) in the PEEK cage group experienced cage migration, and 1 patient (5.9%) showed signs of pedicle screw loosening, while the remaining pedicle screws were stable. In contrast, none of the 19 patients with 3D-printed cages experienced cage migration, and no signs of pedicle screw loosening were observed.