Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2026, Vol. 30 ›› Issue (32): 8569-8576.doi: 10.12307/2026.874

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Application and development of polyetheretherketone material in skull defect repair

Zhang Zhanyue1, 2, 3, Zhao Lijun1, 2, 3, Zhang Chunyang1, 2, 3, Zhang Zhongqi1, 2, 3, Fu Kang1, 2, 3, Zhang Zhihong1   

  1. 1First Affiliated Hospital of Baotou Medical College, Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology, Baotou 014010, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China; 2Institute of Neurosurgical Diseases (Translational Medicine) of Baotou Medical College, Baotou 014010, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China; 3Engineering Technology Center for Bone Tissue Regeneration and Injury Repair in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Baotou 014010, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China
  • Accepted:2026-01-29 Online:2026-11-18 Published:2026-04-29
  • Contact: Zhang Zhihong, First Affiliated Hospital of Baotou Medical College, Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology, Baotou 014010, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China
  • About author:Zhang Zhanyue, MS, Attending physician, First Affiliated Hospital of Baotou Medical College, Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology, Baotou 014010, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China; Institute of Neurosurgical Diseases (Translational Medicine) of Baotou Medical College, Baotou 014010, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China; Engineering Technology Center for Bone Tissue Regeneration and Injury Repair in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Baotou 014010, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China Zhao Lijun, MS, Chief physician, First Affiliated Hospital of Baotou Medical College, Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology, Baotou 014010, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China; Institute of Neurosurgical Diseases (Translational Medicine) of Baotou Medical College, Baotou 014010, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China; Engineering Technology Center for Bone Tissue Regeneration and Injury Repair in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Baotou 014010, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China

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Abstract: BACKGROUND: Polyetheretherketone, a high-performance synthetic material prized for its low density, high strength, excellent toughness, favorable processing characteristics, and biocompatibility, is still becoming a primary choice for repairing skull defects. However, systematic bibliometric studies specifically analyzing its application in cranial repair are scarce. 
OBJECTIVE: To summarize the overall research trend, development trajectory, research focus, and hotspots of polyetheretherketone materials in the field of skull defect repair internationally using bibliometric methods.
METHODS: The Web of Science Core Collection database system was searched for the literature on the application of polyetheretherketone materials in skull defect repair from 1995 to 2024. Subsequently, quantitative statistical and visual analyses were performed using bibliometric techniques, focusing on temporal trends in publication volume, contributions by country/region, collaborative networks of core research institutions, highly cited papers, prolific journals, and keyword co-occurrence.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: In this work, we analyzed 105 articles on polyetheretherketone for skull defect repair covering 2009 to 2024. We found that the field was divided into three phases. From 2009 to 2014, the focus was on traditional materials; from 2015 to 2019, on clinical research of polyetheretherketone; and from 2020 to 2024, on 3D printing and finite element analysis, with the 2020-2024 phase accounting for 42% of the total. Meanwhile, the combinations of “3D printing and finite element analysis” and “polyetheretherketone and titanium alloy” are high-frequency technology pairs. China (21 articles), USA (17 articles), and Germany (12 articles) are the main research countries. Polyetheretherketone has been clinically used in more than 200,000 cases worldwide, with an infection rate of 3.7%, which is lower than the infection rate of 9.2% reported for polymethylmethacrylate. Research on polyetheretherketone has shifted from “passive repair” to “active bioactivity promotion.” Europe and USA are leading the clinical translation of 3D printing (82% device availability versus 39% in China), but there is a lag time of about 2 years between published literature and clinical application for 3D-printed polyetheretherketone. Conductive polyetheretherketone is predicted to accelerate translation from 2026 to 2027. These findings suggest that polyetheretherketone has achieved the transformation from “passive repair” to “active biological activity promotion,” with 3D printing, surface modification, and intelligent integration as the core directions. The global development of polyetheretherketone is uneven, with high demand but less research in underdeveloped regions (12%). China focuses on clinical research domestically (68%) but shows insufficient basic innovation (15%). It is necessary to promote low-cost 3D printing technology, establish transformation hubs, support interdisciplinary teams, and build a 10-year multi-center follow-up system.  


Key words: skull defect, polyetheretherketone, bibliometrics, Web of Science, 3D printing, finite element analysis, biocompatibility, cranioplasty

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