Lumbar Fusion With Polyetheretherketone Rods Use for Patients With Degenerative Disease

Abstract

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) rods for lumbar fusion have been available since 2007. However, literature about their utility is sparse and of mixed outcomes. Methods: A retrospective review of PEEK rod lumbar fusion cases was performed. Data were analyzed from 108 patients of the senior author Donald Ross who underwent PEEK lumbar fusion. Results: There were 97 single and 11 2-level fusions. Rates of tobacco use, diabetes mellitus, low bone density, depression, and immunosuppression were 23.1%, 24.1%, 14.8%, 32.4%, and 6.5%, respectively. In the study population, the mean age was 60.2 years, body mass index was 30.1, and there was a mean 31.3 months for follow-up. There were no wound infections or new neurologic deficits. Of 81 patients with > 11 months of follow-up, 70 (86.4%) had an arthrodesis, 8 (9.9%) had no ar-throdesis, and 3 (3.7%) were indeterminate. No patients had revision fusion surgery and 2 patients had adjacent level fusions at 27 and 60 months. One patient had an adjacent segment laminectomy at 18 months and one a foraminotomy at 89 months, resulting in a 3.7% adjacent segment surgery rate. Mean preoperative Short Form-36 (SF-36) physical functioning (PF) score and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) score were 28.9 and 24.8, respectively. Mean SF-36 PF postoperative score at 1 and 2 years were 59.3 and 65, respectively. Mean ODI postoperative score at 1 year was 14.5. Conclusions:In a large patient cohort lumbar fusion with PEEK rods can be undertaken with low complication rates, satisfactory clinical improvements, low rates of hardware failure or need for revision surgery. Longer follow-up is needed to confirm findings.

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) rods versus titanium rods for posterior lumbar fusion surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…In terms of adverse events, Hirt et al [ 43 ] reviewed 462 patients and showed that the PEEK rod group was less likely to be readmitted due to adverse events. Ross et al [ 44 ] reviewed 108 patients and also showed a lower complication rate. None of the 15 studies we included reported any adverse events such as loosening of internal fixation, rupture, nerve injury, and infection.…”