INTERNAL-FIXATION OF THE SPINE USING A BRAIDED TITANIUM CABLE - CLINICAL-RESULTS AND POSTOPERATIVE MAGNETIC-RESONANCE-IMAGING

SEGMENTAL SPINAL FIXATION using sublaminar or interspinous stainless s teel wire has been successfully used for many years. Stainless steel c ables have been developed that are stronger and more flexible, allowin g for shorter operative time and decreased risk of neurological defici t. However, stainless steel implants create significant artifact on ma gnetic resonance imaging (MRI), reducing the postoperative usefulness of this imaging modality. Titanium instrumentation has the advantage o f producing minimal MRI artifact. Recently, a braided titanium cable h as been developed that has the advantages of strength and flexibility as well as minimal production of MRI artifact. We present a series of 50 patients who underwent internal fixation of the spine using a braid ed titanium cable either alone or in combination with supplementary ti tanium instrumentation. No instrument failures have occurred to date. Postoperative MRI scans have revealed minimal implant-related artifact , allowing for high-resolution, noninvasive postoperative imaging of t he neuraxis. We conclude that braided titanium cable has significant a dvantages over stainless steel cable or monofilament wire and is a val uable instrument for segmental spine fixation.