School of Medicine, MD Candidate University of Colorado University of Colorado School of Medicine
Introduction: Interbody devices utilized in anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) have been engineered with materials to optimize osteoconductive properties and fixation. The Medacta MectaLIF™ Anterior Interbody Fusion Device allows for multiple intraoperative configurations to accommodate anatomical variations and specific pathologies. This study examines the fusion rate, changes in lumbar lordosis, correction in disc height, and complications associated with the MectaLIF™ implant.
Methods: CPT codes identified patients aged 18-80 who underwent multi-level spinal fusion surgery using the MectaLIF™ implant. Demographic and surgical data were collected from medical records. Preoperative and final follow-up radiographs were assessed for global and regional spine parameters. A comparison of outcomes between short and long fusion groups was performed using the Student’s t-test for continuous variables and Fisher’s exact test and the χ² test for categorical variables.
Results: From November 2015 to October 2019, 108 patients meeting the inclusion criteria were analyzed. No significant differences were noted between short and long fusion groups regarding race, BMI, comorbidities, or smoking; however, patients undergoing long fusion were older (62.9 ± 8.5 vs. 58.1 ± 11.9, p = 0.027). Complications included implant subsidence in 5 patients (4.6%), migration in 1 (0.9%), and non-union in 6 (5.6%). There was no difference in complication rates between the short and long fusion cohorts.
Postoperatively, L1-4 lumbar lordosis (LL) showed no significant change. L1-S1 LL increased to 55.1 ± 12.8° (mean change of 10.7 ± 14.5°) and L4-S1 LL increased to 38.4 ± 8.7° (mean increase of 7.5 ± 8.2°). PI-LL mismatch changed from 8.9 ± 15.1° to 1.1 ± 13.5° (n = 102). Changes in SS and PT were also observed.
Conclusion : The MectaLIF™ implant effectively corrects sagittal parameters with minimal complications. Its intraoperative configurability based on anatomy maximizes contact area, potentially reducing subsidence risk.