Cranioplasty with customized titanium and PEEK implants in a mechanical stress model

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Neurosurgery
• Mechanical Engineering

Background:

• Large skull defects from craniectomies cause significant functional and aesthetic issues.
• Cranioplasty implants offer an alternative to autogenous bone grafts for reconstruction.
• Titanium and polyether-ether-ketone (PEEK) are commonly used implant materials.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the mechanical performance of customized titanium and PEEK implants for cranioplasty.
• To evaluate implant structural changes and surrounding model damage under mechanical stress.

Main Methods:

• Four simplified skull models with either titanium or PEEK implants were created.
• Models were subjected to quasi-static mechanical loading (1.925 mm/min) in a testing machine.
• Implant fracture forces, displacement, and model damage were recorded.

Main Results:

• PEEK implants fractured at forces of 24.2-24.5 kN with 8-8.4 mm displacement.
• Titanium implants showed no deformation but caused extensive damage to the polyamide skull models (up to 50.9 kN).
• Both implant types withstood forces exceeding those typically causing skull fractures.

Conclusions:

• Under simulated mechanical stress, PEEK implants fractured, whereas titanium implants damaged the surrounding model.
• PEEK's mechanical properties may offer superior protection in cranioplasty when autogenous bone is not feasible.
• Further research is needed to fully elucidate the clinical implications of these findings.