Lumbar fusion using a carbon-fiber PEEK pedicle screw system combined with a carbon-fiber PEEK TLIF cage: a prospective, multicenter study

Abstract Background Carbon-fiber-reinforced polyether ether ketone (CF-PEEK) is a radiolucent, non-metallic implant material used for instrumented lumbar spondylodesis. Clinical studies of pedicle screw systems employing this material, especially for degenerative indications, are scant. Methods We c...

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Main Authors: Marcus Eif, Thomas Forster, Christoph Fleege, Francis Kilian, Anne Dorothée Schmitt, Dorothea Daentzer
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-03-01
Series:BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-025-08457-7
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author Marcus Eif
Thomas Forster
Christoph Fleege
Francis Kilian
Anne Dorothée Schmitt
Dorothea Daentzer
author_facet Marcus Eif
Thomas Forster
Christoph Fleege
Francis Kilian
Anne Dorothée Schmitt
Dorothea Daentzer
author_sort Marcus Eif
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Carbon-fiber-reinforced polyether ether ketone (CF-PEEK) is a radiolucent, non-metallic implant material used for instrumented lumbar spondylodesis. Clinical studies of pedicle screw systems employing this material, especially for degenerative indications, are scant. Methods We conducted a multicenter, prospective clinical study to assess clinical and radiographic outcomes in patients with symptomatic degenerative lumbar disk disease, including degenerative spondylolisthesis treated with a CF-PEEK pedicle screw and a transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) cage system. We followed up the participants for two years postoperatively to collect clinical data (via the Oswestry Disability Index, Core Outcome Measures Index, and Visual Analog Scale), radiographic parameters (functional X-rays) to assess fusion status, and any complications. Results In total, 86 patients were recruited. During the study, 21 patients (24.4%) dropped out, including 5 (5.8%) who underwent explantation of the study device(s). At the final follow-up, the fusion rate was 98.6% (95% confidence interval, 92.7–100.0%). All clinical parameters improved significantly. There were no complications potentially attributed to the implant material. Conclusions The results demonstrate a fusion rate similar to that of metallic implant systems with the use of a CF-PEEK pedicle screw and a TLIF cage system. Further studies with larger samples are needed to substantiate this finding. Trial registration The study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02087267). Date of registration: March 12, 2014.
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spelling doaj-art-d214832bcd4b4be8ab6a3a3c8f364fc92025-08-20T02:59:18ZengBMCBMC Musculoskeletal Disorders1471-24742025-03-012611810.1186/s12891-025-08457-7Lumbar fusion using a carbon-fiber PEEK pedicle screw system combined with a carbon-fiber PEEK TLIF cage: a prospective, multicenter studyMarcus Eif0Thomas Forster1Christoph Fleege2Francis Kilian3Anne Dorothée Schmitt4Dorothea Daentzer5Städtisches Klinikum Görlitz gGmbH, Klinik für NeurochirurgieKantonsspital St. Gallen, Ostschweizer WirbelsäulenzentrumOrthopädische Universitätsklinik Friedrichsheim gGmbHKatholisches Klinikum Brüderhaus Koblenz, Klinik für WirbelsäulenchirurgieKlinik für NeurochirurgieOrthopedic Department, Spine Section, Hannover Medical School, DIAKOVERE AnnastiftAbstract Background Carbon-fiber-reinforced polyether ether ketone (CF-PEEK) is a radiolucent, non-metallic implant material used for instrumented lumbar spondylodesis. Clinical studies of pedicle screw systems employing this material, especially for degenerative indications, are scant. Methods We conducted a multicenter, prospective clinical study to assess clinical and radiographic outcomes in patients with symptomatic degenerative lumbar disk disease, including degenerative spondylolisthesis treated with a CF-PEEK pedicle screw and a transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) cage system. We followed up the participants for two years postoperatively to collect clinical data (via the Oswestry Disability Index, Core Outcome Measures Index, and Visual Analog Scale), radiographic parameters (functional X-rays) to assess fusion status, and any complications. Results In total, 86 patients were recruited. During the study, 21 patients (24.4%) dropped out, including 5 (5.8%) who underwent explantation of the study device(s). At the final follow-up, the fusion rate was 98.6% (95% confidence interval, 92.7–100.0%). All clinical parameters improved significantly. There were no complications potentially attributed to the implant material. Conclusions The results demonstrate a fusion rate similar to that of metallic implant systems with the use of a CF-PEEK pedicle screw and a TLIF cage system. Further studies with larger samples are needed to substantiate this finding. Trial registration The study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02087267). Date of registration: March 12, 2014.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-025-08457-7Degenerative disc diseaseSpine fusionPedicle screwCarbon fiberCFR-PEEKSpondylolisthesis
spellingShingle Marcus Eif
Thomas Forster
Christoph Fleege
Francis Kilian
Anne Dorothée Schmitt
Dorothea Daentzer
Lumbar fusion using a carbon-fiber PEEK pedicle screw system combined with a carbon-fiber PEEK TLIF cage: a prospective, multicenter study
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders
Degenerative disc disease
Spine fusion
Pedicle screw
Carbon fiber
CFR-PEEK
Spondylolisthesis
title Lumbar fusion using a carbon-fiber PEEK pedicle screw system combined with a carbon-fiber PEEK TLIF cage: a prospective, multicenter study
title_full Lumbar fusion using a carbon-fiber PEEK pedicle screw system combined with a carbon-fiber PEEK TLIF cage: a prospective, multicenter study
title_fullStr Lumbar fusion using a carbon-fiber PEEK pedicle screw system combined with a carbon-fiber PEEK TLIF cage: a prospective, multicenter study
title_full_unstemmed Lumbar fusion using a carbon-fiber PEEK pedicle screw system combined with a carbon-fiber PEEK TLIF cage: a prospective, multicenter study
title_short Lumbar fusion using a carbon-fiber PEEK pedicle screw system combined with a carbon-fiber PEEK TLIF cage: a prospective, multicenter study
title_sort lumbar fusion using a carbon fiber peek pedicle screw system combined with a carbon fiber peek tlif cage a prospective multicenter study
topic Degenerative disc disease
Spine fusion
Pedicle screw
Carbon fiber
CFR-PEEK
Spondylolisthesis
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-025-08457-7
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