## Introduction
When a vertebra is completely destroyed by a tumor, infection (osteomyelitis), or severe trauma, a simple fusion cage is not enough. The entire bone must be replaced. This procedure, **Vertebral Body Replacement (VBR)**, typically utilizes a **Titanium Mesh Cage** to restore the structural integrity of the spinal column.
## The Versatility of Titanium Mesh
Titanium mesh is the “architectural steel” of the spine.
* **Customizable Height:** The mesh can be cut to the exact length needed to fill the gap left by one or more removed vertebrae.
* **Mechanical Strength:** Titanium provides the ultimate resistance to compression, ensuring the spine does not collapse under the weight of the torso.
* **Biological Integration:** The open mesh design allows the surgeon to pack the cage with a massive amount of bone graft, creating a single, solid “bone-metal” column.
## Indications for VBR
1. **Spinal Oncology:** Replacing a vertebra removed during cancer surgery.
2. **Burst Fractures:** Where the bone is shattered beyond repair by high-energy impact.
3. **Osteomyelitis:** When severe infection has “eaten away” the bone tissue.
## Ortholyx VBR Specifications
Ortholyx titanium mesh cages are available in multiple diameters (from 10mm to 22mm) and are made from **high-strength Ti6Al4V alloy**. Our kits include specialized “endcaps” that prevent the sharp edges of the mesh from digging into the adjacent healthy bone.
## Conclusion
Vertebral body replacement is one of the most demanding procedures in orthopedics. By providing the structural reliability of titanium mesh, Ortholyx enables surgeons to rebuild the spine and give patients a second chance at stability and mobility.