Study on the application of two types of interbody fusion cages in oblique lateral lumbar interbody fusion: a retrospective study

To compare the radiographic outcomes and clinical efficacy of 3D-printed titanium (3DP-titanium) alloy cages with polyether ether ketone (PEEK) cages in oblique lumbar interbody fusion (OLIF) and to explore the application value of 3DP-titanium alloy cages in OLIF. Data from 110 patients with lumbar degenerative disease who underwent OLIF between January 2021 and January 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the cage type, the patients were divided into a 3DP-titanium group and a PEEK group. Demographics, operative metrics (operative time, blood loss), clinical outcomes (ODI, VAS for back/leg pain), and radiographic parameters (pelvic parameters, intervertebral height, fusion rate, subsidence rate) were analyzed. The 3DP-titanium and the PEEK group comprised 50 and 60 patients, respectively. All patients completed a follow-up period of 12–18 months. No significant differences were observed in the baseline data between the two groups (P > 0.05). Both groups showed significant improvements in back and leg pain VAS scores postoperatively compared with those preoperatively (P < 0.05). The ODI scores showed significant improvement at the final follow-up (P < 0.05). At the final follow-up, the fusion rate was significantly higher in the 3DP-titanium group than in the PEEK group (OR = 6.89, 95% CI 1.21–39.28, P = 0.037, whereas no significant difference was observed in the subsidence rate between the groups (OR = 1.18, 95% CI 0.37–3.76, P = 0.78). Both groups had good radiographic and clinical outcomes after operation. However, compared with PEEK cages, 3DP-titanium alloy cages can shorten the operative time and improve the interbody fusion rate, suggesting that they may be a promising interbody fusion option for OLIF with an acceptable safety profile.