Application of the cervical fusion cage of high molecular weight polyethylene in goats

Guofu PI; Limin WANG; Fengbao CHEN

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

Titanium cage of cervical vertebral fusion is often used during a surgical operation for cervical syndrome; however, it has a bad impact on the operative effect because of submerging.

OBJECTIVE:

To observe the biocompatibility and stability of cervical fusion cage of high molecular polyethylene in animals.

DESIGN:

A randomized grouping and observational control experiment.

SETTING:

The Animal Experimental Center of Zhengzhou University.MATERIALS Twenty female goats without pregnancy at 1.1-1.6 years of age.

METHODS:

The experiment was conducted at the Animal Experimental Center of Zhengzhou University between June and November 2001. Twenty goats were equally randomized into experimental group and control group.Self-made cervical fusion cage filled with autogenous spongy bone was implanted into the goats in the experimental group, only autogenous iliac bone was implanted in the control group. X-ray for observing the changes in the height of intervertebral space was performed in two groups 6 weeks later. All the animals were killed under anesthesia to extract cervical vertebra samples, which were placed on YJ-14 Biomechanical Tester to measure anti-compression ability and height of intervertebral space and to observe pathological changes.space Compression loading in the experimental group was significantly higher than that in the control group [(358.64±15.63),(268.82±11.36)N,P ＜ 0.05]; however, there was no difference in the height of interverteA great amount of osteoblasts were found in the tissues around the cage in the experimental group, but there was no difference between the two groups.

CONCLUSION:

The self-designed cervical vertebral fusion cage possesses high upholding strength, good biocompatibility and stability and can play a role in stabilizing the height of intervertebral space.