972-608-5000

Revolutionizing Spine Care…Changing Lives

Complications of Lumbar Artificial Disc Replacement Compared to Fusion: Results from the Prospective, Randomized, Multicenter U.S. Food and Drug Administration Investigational Device Exemption Study of the Charité Artificial Disc

SAS Journal, 2007; 1:20-7
R. T. Holt, M. E. Majd, J. E. Isaza, Scott L. Blumenthal, Paul C. McAfee, Richard D. Guyer, et al.

Subject

Lumbar Total Disc Replacement , Degenerative Disc Disease

Introduction

Previous reports of lumbar total disc replacement (TDR) have described significant complications. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) investigational device exemption (IDE) study of the Charité artificial disc represents the first level I data comparison of TDR to fusion.

Methods

In the prospective, randomized, multicenter IDE study, patients were randomized in a 2:1 ratio, with 205 patients in the Charité group and 99 patients in the control group (anterior lumbar interbody fusion [ALIF] with BAK cages). Inclusion criteria included confirmed single-level degenerative disc disease at L4-L5 or L5-S1 and failure of non-operative treatment for at least six months. Complications were reported throughout the study.

Results

The rate of approach-related complications was 9.8% in the investigational group and 10.1% in the control group. The rate of major neurological complications was similar between the two groups (investigational = 4.4%, control = 4.0%). There was a higher rate of superficial wound infection in the investigational group, but no deep wound infections in either group. Pseudarthrosis occurred in 9.1% of control group patients. The rate of subsidence in the investigational group was 3.4%. The reoperation rate was 5.4% in the investigational group and 9.1% in the control group.

Conclusions

The incidence of perioperative and postoperative complications for lumbar TDR was similar to that of ALIF. Vigilance is necessary with respect to patient indications, training and correct surgical technique to maintain TDR complications at the levels experienced in the IDE study.

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Skip to content