Calvarial reconstruction with polyetheretherketone implants.
Despite the development of multiple cranial bone substitutes, calvarial reconstruction remains a significant challenge. Although autologous bone is preferred in many cases, its usefulness may be limited by difficulty with contouring, resorption, and donor site availability and morbidity. Alloplastic cranioplasties are also widely used with each material having its advantages and disadvantages. Computer-designed implants have the advantages of minimizing operative time for preparation, shaping, and insetting. We report our initial clinical experience in 6 patients with computer-designed, prefabricated polyetheretherketone implants, which may have significant advantages over other alloplastic materials in terms of strength, stiffness, durability, thermal conductivity, and radiographic translucency.
Hanasono
Matthew M
MM
Department of Plastic Surgery, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Unit 443, Houston, TX, USA. mhanasono@mdanderson.org
Goel
Neha
N
DeMonte
Franco
F
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001577:Benzophenones; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D018786:Bone Substitutes; D017076:Computer-Aided Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007659:Ketones; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D011108:Polymers; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012886:Skull / Q000601:surgery*; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000601:surgery*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D001577:Benzophenones; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D018786:Bone Substitutes; D007659:Ketones; D011108:Polymers; C063834:polyetheretherketone; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols