Background: Carbon-fiber-reinforced polyetheretherketone (CFR-PEEK) vertebral-body replacements (VBRs) aim to mitigate subsidence, minimize imaging artifacts, and facilitate radiation planning while preserving fusion potential. We assessed the safety and efficacy of a novel modular, titanium-coated CFR-PEEK VBR (Kong
®) for anterior column reconstruction (ACR)
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Background: Carbon-fiber-reinforced polyetheretherketone (CFR-PEEK) vertebral-body replacements (VBRs) aim to mitigate subsidence, minimize imaging artifacts, and facilitate radiation planning while preserving fusion potential. We assessed the safety and efficacy of a novel modular, titanium-coated CFR-PEEK VBR (Kong
®) for anterior column reconstruction (ACR) in the thoracolumbar spine. Primary question: Does the implant safely and effectively achieve and maintain kyphosis correction after ACR for trauma and neoplasms? Methods: A single-center retrospective case series was performed on 28 patients who underwent thoracolumbar ACR with the Kong
® VBR for fractures or tumors (2020–2021). The primary outcome was the bi-segmental kyphotic angle (BKA). Secondary outcomes were screw loosening, cage height loss, fusion rate, subsidence, and tilting. Clinical status was recorded with Odom criteria, Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS), and AOSpine PROST. Results: Twenty-eight patients (mean age, 61 yr; 33% female; mean follow-up, 17.7 mts) were studied. Mean postoperative BKA correction was 16.5° (
p = 0.006) and remained 14.5° at final follow-up (
p = 0.008); loss of correction was 2.0° (
p = 0.568). Subsidence, cage height, and sagittal tilt were unchanged. Fusion (Bridwell grade I/II) was observed in 95% on CT. One deep surgical-site infection occurred. At final follow-up, 91% of patients were graded “excellent” or “good” by Odom. KPS improved by 20 points (
p = 0.031), and mean AOSpine PROST was 56.9. Conclusions: Single-center early results indicate that the modular titanium-coated CFR-PEEK VBR is a safe, effective adjunct for thoracolumbar ACR in trauma and neoplasm, providing durable kyphosis correction, mechanical stability and high fusion rates and grants for improved follow-up imaging quality.
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