Three-Dimensional Printing PEEK Implant: A Novel Choice for the Reconstruction of Chest Wall Defect

The purpose of this study is to use 3-dimensional printing (3DP) polyetheretherketone (PEEK) implants for skeletal reconstructions after wide excision of chest wall. 3DP PEEK implants were expected to provide a better physiological simulation than traditional ones because of a closer elastic modulus to cortical bone and similar biomechanical properties.

Eighteen patients (mean age 44.5 years), comprising 6 males and 12 females, underwent adequate radical wide excision for tumors and chest wall reconstruction using 3DP PEEK implants. Surgical data, which include patient demographic characteristics, implant preparation parameters, and preoperative and postoperative pulmonary function test results, were collected and analyzed.

Ten patients with rib tumors and 8 patients with sternum tumors were selected for the study. The mean chest wall defect size was 173.6 ± 151.5 cm² (range, 55 to 625 cm²). The mean weight of a single 3DP PEEK rib and sternum was 28 g and 104 g, respectively. The flexural and tensile strength of PEEK implants were 141 ± 7 MPa and 89 ± 3 MPa, respectively. Preoperative and postoperative pulmonary function tests revealed that mean forced vital capacity was from 2.79 ± 0.68 L to 2.40 ± 0.70 L with a reduction of 14.0% (p < 0.001). No side effects were observed 6 to 12 months after the operation.

These findings suggest that 3DP PEEK implant is a safe and effective alternative in the reconstruction of chest wall defects. The pulmonary function of the patient may be preserved effectively after surgery.