• T Tarhan, D Froemel, M Rickert, M Rauschmann, and C Fleege.
• Orthopädische Universitätsklinik Friedrichsheim gGmbH, Marienburgstr. 2, 60528, Frankfurt, Deutschland. timur.tarhan@friedrichsheim.de.
• Unfallchirurg. 2015 Oct 19.

BackgroundVertebral body replacement after corpectomy is nowadays a standard procedure in spinal surgery.ObjectiveDescription of the developmental process of vertebral body replacement.MethodHistorical description of the innovations in vertebral body replacement.ResultsThe first serious attempts to perform vertebral body replacement were initiated approximately 50 years ago. Over several decades spinal surgeons used bone grafts, polymethyl methacrylate, titanium and glass-ceramics containing apatite and wollastonite. Known vertebral surgeons, including Scoville, Polster, Kaneda and Harms, to name but a few, were involved in the continuous development of vertebral body replacement.ConclusionMany different expandable and non-expandable implants are now available and both types of implant can still be justified. This article describes the historical development of these implants and shows how this innovational process has significantly increased the therapy options for surgeons.

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