Study Design: Prospective. Purpose: Over past one and half decade, ready-to-use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) compatible
spinal implants have changed the clinical practice and economics of spinal surgery.
These are beyond reach of majority of population of developing countries like India
due to financial reasons and also availability in remote areas. There is a growing
need for a MRI compatible cost-effective spinal implant of proven quality. The authors
used bone cement spacers for the said purpose for various level spine surgeries. Overview of Literature: Methylmethacrylate, known as bone cement, was used extensively for spinal surgeries
from craniovertebral junction to sacrum for augmentation and replacement of various
spinal elements. Its biochemical and biomechanical properties were tested for safe
clinical use and was a favored material for spinal surgeons. Materials and Methods: The authors made molds for making bone cement spacers for various spine levels with
the help of silicone material. Results: Sixteen patients (12 males, 4 females with an average age of 31 years) of various
spine level surgeries were done where bone cement spacers were used. It included patients
of basilar invagination (n = 9), dorsal Pott's disease (n = 1), lumbar (n = 2), and
lumbo-sacral spondylolisthesis (n = 1). Spacers could be used without any difficulties
and postoperative day 1- and 3-months follow-up computed tomography scan of the patients
revealed no change in the dimensions of the spacer and fusion at 3 months of operated
levels. Conclusion: The authors feel that bone cement spacers may be an effective and low-cost alternative
to the existing costly alternatives.
Key-words:
Bone cement - cranio-vertebral junction - intervertebral spacer - methylmethacrylate
- spacer
