2023, Vol. 27 ›› Issue (3): 380-384

3D printed polyetheretherketone material for skull defect repair

Zhai Hongjie, Han Guanda, Li Lei, Dong Xiaohui, Jiang Zhiquan, Lou Feiyun   

Abstract: BACKGROUND: During cranioplasty, the postoperative effects of different cranial repair materials are different, and the occurrence of postoperative complications is also quite different.
OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical effect of 3D printed polyetheretherketone material in cranioplasty.
METHODS: 112 patients with skull defect admitted to The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College from February 2016 to August 2020, including 67 males and 45 females, were selected and subjected to cranioplasty. The patients were divided into polyetheretherketone group (n=36) and titanium mesh group (n=76). Postoperative   follow up was conducted to observe the occurrence of complications in the two groups, including subcutaneous effusion, hydrocephalus, epidural or subdural hematoma, poor wound healing, implant leakage, or infection.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) The patients in the polyetheretherketone group and titanium mesh group were followed up for (14.64±2.39) and (15.49±2.17) months after surgery, respectively, and there was no significant difference between the groups (P > 0.05). There were no patients with implant failure due to implant material in either group. (2) Complications occurred in 33 patients in the titanium mesh group, including 1 case of hydrocephalus, 9 cases of subcutaneous fluid, 3 cases of epidural/subhematoma, 13 cases of poor wound healing, and 3 cases of implant exposure, and 4 cases of intracranial infection. The complication rate was 43.4%. Totally 10 patients in the polyetheretherketone group had complications, including 6 cases of subcutaneous effusion, 1 case of epidural/subhematoma, and 2 cases of poor wound healing, and 1 case of intracranial infection; the complication rate was 27.8%. There was no significant difference in the total postoperative complication rate between the two groups (P > 0.05), but the incidence of poor wound healing/implant exposure was significantly different (P < 0.05). (3) It is concluded that 3D printed polyetheretherketone repair material has good biocompatibility, safety and accuracy in the application of skull defect repair. Compared with titanium mesh repair material, polyetheretherketone has a better advantage in wound healing.   
Key words: 3D printing, polyetheretherketone, titanium mesh, skull defect, cranioplasty, complication