L&K Spine recently announced the successful completion of the first global four-level cervical reconstruction using its newly launched BluEx-C Cervical Expandable Cage. The landmark procedure was performed on July 20 by Christopher Chittum, MD, a neurosurgeon at Spartanburg Medical Center in South Carolina.
The complex C3-C7 anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) highlighted the unique biomechanical advantages of the BluEx-C system over traditional static cages. While static implants limit surgeons to fixed, whole-millimeter increments, the BluEx-C device features a continuous, infinite expansion mechanism. This technology allowed Dr. Chittum to dial in highly precise, patient-specific heights—such as fractions of a millimeter (e.g., 6.3mm or 6.6mm)—at each individual level, ensuring an optimal anatomical fit that static cages simply cannot provide.
A critical factor in the success of this multi-level procedure was the system’s ability to accommodate an advanced surgical workflow. Dr. Chittum was able to insert all four unexpanded cages into the disc spaces first. Once all implants were perfectly positioned, he systematically expanded each cage in situ. This technique allowed him to evaluate and fine-tune the spine’s overall mechanics in real time, achieving an optimal global sagittal balance across the entire C3-C7 segment before final fixation.
Surgeon’s Perspective “The BluEx-C cage completely changes the paradigm for complex, multi-level cervical reconstructions,” said Dr. Chittum. “In a 4-level case, achieving the correct overall sagittal balance can be incredibly challenging with static cages. With BluEx-C, I was able to place all the implants first, and then sequentially expand them to the exact fraction of a millimeter needed for this specific patient. It provided an unprecedented level of control over the final cervical alignment and stability.”
L&K Spine’s Commitment to Innovation “The successful completion of this global first four-level procedure is a monumental milestone for L&K Spine,” said Alex Kang, CEO of L&K Spine. “We engineered the BluEx-C system specifically to empower surgeons with unparalleled intraoperative control and precision. Seeing a highly skilled neurosurgeon like Dr. Chittum leverage our continuous expansion technology to achieve perfect sagittal balance in such a complex case truly validates our overarching mission: advancing spinal technology to deliver the best possible patient outcomes.”
About the Surgeon Dr. Christopher Chittum is a highly respected, board-certified neurosurgeon at Spartanburg Medical Center in South Carolina. He specializes in the treatment of complex spinal disorders and is widely recognized for his expertise in integrating advanced, minimally invasive spinal technologies to enhance surgical precision and improve patient outcomes.
