Comparative Analysis of 3D-Printed Artificial Vertebral Body Versus Titanium Mesh Cage in Repairing Bone Defects Following Single-Level Anterior Cervical Corpectomy and Fusion

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare the clinical and radiological outcomes of the 3D-printed artificial vertebral body vs the titanium mesh cage in repairing bone defects for single-level anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF). MATERIAL/METHODS: A total of 51 consecutive patients who underwent single-level ACCF in Huai’an Second People’s Hospital from July 2017 to August 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. According to the implant materials used, patients were divided into a 3D-printed artificial vertebral body group (3D-printed group) (n=20; 12 males, 8 females) and a titanium mesh cage group (TMC group) (n=31; 15 males, 16 females). General data, radiological parameters, and clinical outcomes were recorded. RESULTS: The rate of subsidence in the 3D-printed group (0.01, 2/20) was lower than in the TMC group (0.29, 9/31) (P<0.05). HAE and HPE of the patients in the 3D-printed group were significantly higher than those in the TMC group (P<0.05). C2–C7 Cobb angle and SA of the patients in the 3D-printed group were significantly larger than those in the TMC group (P<0.05). All patients in the 2 groups showed significant improvement in VAS, JOA, and NDI scores at 3 months and 1 year after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: 3D-printed artificial vertebral body helps maintain intervertebral height and cervical physiological curvature and is a good candidate for ACCF.