title: Polyetheretherketone as a biomaterial for spinal applications.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, 9200 W. Wisconsin Ave., Box 26099, Milwaukee, WI 53226-0099, USA. jtoth@mcw.edu
authors.forename: Jeffrey M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Toth
authors.forename: Mei
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Bradley T
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Estes
authors.forename: Jeffrey L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Scifert
authors.forename: Howard B
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Seim
authors.forename: A Simon
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Turner
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001577:Benzophenones; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D055396:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D016025:Bone Transplantation / Q000379:methods; D017586:Diskectomy; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000494:pharmacology; D048091:Guided Tissue Regeneration / Q000379:methods*; D020007:Implants, Experimental; D007249:Inflammation / Q000473:pathology; D007659:Ketones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D023421:Models, Animal; D016348:Osseointegration / Q000187:drug effects; D010012:Osteogenesis / Q000187:drug effects; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011108:Polymers; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D012756:Sheep; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000379:methods*; D013124:Spinal Injuries / Q000628:therapy; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D001577:Benzophenones; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D055396:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins; D006133:Growth Substances; D007659:Ketones; D011108:Polymers; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; C499469:recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2; C063834:polyetheretherketone; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols