A PEEK-Based Pedicle Screw System for One-Level Lumbar Spinal Canal Stenosis: An Appraisal at a Five-Year Follow Up

TL;DR

This study evaluated a PEEK-based spinal system for treating lumbar spinal canal stenosis and found no significant advantage over traditional fusion surgery after five years.

Contribution

The study provides a five-year follow-up on a novel PEEK-based spinal system and its impact on adjacent segment disease.

Findings

19 patients experienced marked or complete symptom improvement after five years.

Nine patients had symptom recurrence years after initial relief.

The PEEK system did not show a clear benefit over standard fusion surgery.

Abstract

Background: This study aimed at delivering first clinical results after the use of a screw-and-PEEK rod system. Emphasis was placed on the ability of the construct to prevent adjacent segment disease at an average of 5 years follow up. Methods: The cohort was made up of 33 patients who received decompressive surgery in one segment and instrumentation with a screw-and-PEEK rod-based construct for stenosis of the lumbar spinal canal and a control group of 20 who received fusion surgery. Results: At an average of 68 months follow up there were 19 patients where the symptoms had markedly improved or completely subsided. There were also nine patients where the symptoms initially subsided only to reoccur years later and five who had a subjective non-satisfactory result. Conclusions: The system showed no major disadvantage when compared to similar non-fusion pedicle-based techniques, nor was it able to consequently prevent ASD. Under a clinical point of view, there was, in our opinion, no marked benefit when compared against decompressive surgery and fusion as the accepted standard.

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