Researchers have shown that polyetheretherketone (PEEK) cages are a viable alternative to autogenous tricortical bone grafts. A retrospective study compared the results of anterior spinal fusion procedures using titanium cages, PEEK cages and autogenous bone grafts.  They found that after 12 months, both the PEEK cages and bone grafts had a 100% fusion rate, while titanium cages had a fusion rate of just 46.5%.

In addition to the excellent fusion rates seen with PEEK cages, there were also fewer complications in the PEEK group.  The one complication that was seen in the patients who underwent fusion with the PEEK cage was also mild.

Reference: Chou et al.  Efficacy of anterior cervical fusion: Comparison of titanium cages, polyetheretherketone (PEEK) cages and autogenous bone grafts.  Journal of Clinical Neuroscience 15 (2008) 1240–1245.

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