• J W Brantigan, P C McAfee, B W Cunningham, H Wang, and C M Orbegoso.
• Department of Surgery, Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska.
• Spine. 1994 Jul 1; 19 (13): 1436-44.

Study DesignA carbon fiber-reinforced polymer implant, designed to aid interbody lumbar fusion, was tested biologically in an experimental surgical model. Twenty-seven Spanish goats had interbody lumbar fusion surgery in a randomized protocol. Seventeen goats were implanted with the carbon fiber-reinforced polymer cage packed with autologous bone, and 10 goats were implanted with ethylene oxide-sterilized allograft bone.ObjectivesTo determine fusion success, biocompatibility of the carbon polymer material, and possibility of carbon wear debris at intervals after surgical implantation.MethodsGoats were killed at 6 months, 12 months, and 24 months and full-body autopsies were done. Spine specimens were studied by plain radiography, three-dimensional reformatted computed tomography studies, and histology.ResultsAt 6 months, one of three allograft implantations showed histologic and radiographic fusion, whereas five of five carbon fiber-reinforced polymer cage fusions showed at least partial fusion. At 12 months, two of three allograft implantations and five of five carbon fiber-reinforced polymer cage fusions were solidly fused. At 24 months, five of five allograft implantations and three of three carbon fiber-reinforced polymer cage implantations were solidly fused.ConclusionsInterbody fusion using a carbon cage implant packed with autologous bone achieved a quicker and more reliable fusion compared with ethylene oxide-sterilized allograft bone. There were no adverse effects from the implant material.

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