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Polyetheretherketone as a biomaterial for spinal applications

Reference:
Toth JM, Wang M, Estes BT, Scifert JL, Seim HB, 3rd, Turner AS. Polyetheretherketone as a biomaterial for spinal applications. Biomaterials 2006;27(3):324-334.

Keywords:
Animals, Biocompatible Materials/*therapeutic use, Biomechanics, 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/physiopathology/surgery, Models, Animal, Osseointegration/drug effects, Osteogenesis/drug effects, Polyethylene Glycols/*therapeutic use, Recombinant Proteins/pharmacology, Sheep, Spinal Fusion/*methods, Spinal, Injuries/therapy, Transforming Growth Factor beta/pharmacology

Permissions:
The preprint version of this article is made available here with permission of Elsevier. The final published version of this article can be accessed from Biomaterials at http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biomaterials.2005.07.011.

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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.

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