title: Polyetheretherketone custom-made implants for craniofacial defects: Report of 14 cases and review of the literature.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Craniofacial defects tend to carry functional and esthetic consequences for the patient. The complex shapes in this region make such reconstructions a challenging procedure and the most suitable material to be used remains controversial.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report a series of 14 patients whose craniofacial defects were reconstructed using a computer designed PEEK-PSI (Polyetheretherketone- Patient Specific Implant). We analyzed the complications and outcomes of PEEK custom-made implants and compared our results with those of other case series reported in the current literature.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fourteen patients underwent craniofacial reconstruction using a PEEK-PSI. Three cases involved a one-step primary reconstruction and the rest of cases underwent a delayed reconstruction. Two cases (14.3 %) presented infection and only in one case was the implant definitively removed. Esthetic results were considered to be highly satisfactory.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  With CAD-CAM techniques, it is possible to prefabricate an individual implant. The ideal material for reconstructing maxillofacial defects does not exist, but PEEK has demonstrated good outcomes. When autologous bone is not available or, in selected cases with large or complex defects in the maxillofacial area, PEEK is one of the best options to reconstruct these defects. However, further studies are needed to determine the long-term results.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Paseo de la Castellana, 261, 28046 Madrid, Spain. Electronic address: stfania@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Alonso-Rodriguez
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Paseo de la Castellana, 261, 28046 Madrid, Spain. Electronic address: rodrigator2001@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Cebrián
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Paseo de la Castellana, 261, 28046 Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Nieto
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Paseo de la Castellana, 261, 28046 Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Del Castillo
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Burn Unit, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Paseo de la Castellana, 261, 28046 Madrid, Spain. Electronic address: jhdezgodoy@gmail.com.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hernández-Godoy
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Paseo de la Castellana, 261, 28046 Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Burgueño
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001577:Benzophenones; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007659:Ketones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011108:Polymers; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D001577:Benzophenones; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D007659:Ketones; D011108:Polymers; C063834:polyetheretherketone; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols
keywords: Craniofacial; Implant; Polyetheretherketone; Reconstruction