Abstract: Objective To study on the procedure, safety and effectiveness of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) implant applied to cranioplasty of skull defect. Methods A total of 11 cases (10 male, 1 female) of unilateral skull defect, more than 6 months post operation, were included in this study. PEEK implant was custom- made by three- dimensional numerically controlled processing depended on the data obtained from 1 mm-slice CT scan before cranioplasty individually. Autoclaved implants were applied to cranioplastic surgeries under general anesthesia. Findings of imaging examination and vital signs were compared before and after operation. Vital sign changes and circumstances during procedure were noted, and following- up reviews were performed on 2- week, 3- month and 1 year after operation respectively. Results Wounds healing were uneventful in 11 cases, no postoperative paresthesia presented. Surgical complications including temporary subcutaneous exudates were cleared up by puncture and aspiration in 5 cases, subcutaneous hematoma duo to drainage removal in 1 case, of which an emergency evacuation was performed and the implant was still with instant incision closure and then smooth recovery eventually. No significant abnormal fluctuation of laboratory examination was reported, moreover no artifact interference was found on postoperative CT scan or MR image. The subjective feelings and external sensory effects are satisfactory in patients. No emerging dysfunction of central nervous system or other organs was found, and no long-term complication was appeared. Conclusion It is feasible and safe to apply PEEK implant to cranioplasty without additional operative difficulty. This kind of material is an ideal alternative for repairing skull defect to patients with good financial condition and specific demands for postoperative status especially.

Key words: prosthesis implantation, polyetheretherketone, skull defect, cranioplasty