Empty polyetheretherketone (PEEK) cages in anterior cervical diskectomy and fusion (ACDF) show slow radiographic fusion that reduces clinical improvement: results from the prospective multicenter "PIERCE-PEEK" study.

CONCLUSION: This study provides strong evidence that ACDF is effective treatment, but the overall rate of radiographic fusion with empty PEEK cages is slow and insufficient. Lack of complete radiographic fusion leads to less improvement of pain and disability. We recommend against using empty uncoated pure PEEK cages in ACDF. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN42774128. Retrospectively registered 14 April 2009. PMID: 28465721 [PubMed - in process]

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28465721?dopt=Abstract

Source: Patient Safety in Surgery - May 5, 2017 Category: Surgery Authors: Suess O, Schomaker M, Cabraja M, Danne M, Kombos T, Hanna M Tags: Patient Saf Surg Source Type: research