Polyetheretherketone as a biomaterial for spinal applications

• Published in: Biomaterials Vol. 27; no. 3; pp. 324 - 334
• Main Authors: Toth, Jeffrey M., Wang, Mei, Estes, Bradley T., Scifert, Jeffrey L., Seim, Howard B., Turner, A. Simon
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Ltd 2006
• Subjects: Animals; Biocompatible Materials - therapeutic use; Biomechanical Phenomena; Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP); Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2; Bone Morphogenetic Proteins - pharmacology; Bone Transplantation - methods; Diskectomy; Growth Substances - pharmacology; Guided Tissue Regeneration - methods; Implants, Experimental; Inflammation - pathology; Ketones - therapeutic use; Lumbar Vertebrae - pathology; Lumbar Vertebrae - physiopathology; Lumbar Vertebrae - surgery; Models, Animal; Osseointegration - drug effects; Osteogenesis - drug effects; PEEK; Polyetheretherketone; Polyethylene Glycols - therapeutic use; Recombinant Proteins - pharmacology; Sheep; Spinal Fusion - methods; Spinal Injuries - therapy; Spinal surgery; Spine fusion; Spine fusion cages; Transforming Growth Factor beta - pharmacology; Polyetheretherketone; Spine fusion; Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP); Spine fusion cages; Spinal surgery; PEEK
• ISSN: 0142-9612; 1878-5905
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2005.07.011

Threaded lumbar interbody spinal fusion devices (TIBFD) made from titanium have been reported to be 90% effective for single-level lumbar interbody fusion, although radiographic determination of fusion has been intensely debated in the literature. Using blinded radiographic, biomechanic, histologic, and statistical measures, we evaluated a radiolucent polyetheretherketone (PEEK)-threaded interbody fusion device packed with autograft or rhBMP-2 on an absorbable collagen sponge in 13 sheep at 6 months. Radiographic fusion, increased spinal level biomechanical stiffness, and histologic fusion were demonstrated for the PEEK cages filled with autograft or rhBMP-2 on a collagen sponge. No device degradation or wear debris was observed. Only mild chronic inflammation consisting of a few macrophages was observed in peri-implant tissues. Based on these results, the polymeric biomaterial PEEK may be a useful biomaterial for interbody fusion cages due to the polymer's increased radiolucency and decreased stiffness.