1Resident, Dept. of Oral Oncology and Reconstructive Surgery, Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology, Bangalore, India
2Professor, Dept. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Dayananda Sagar College of Dental Sciences, Bangalore, India
3Principal and HOD, Dept. of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Dayananda Sagar College of Dental Sciences, Bangalore, India
4Fellow, Dept. of Oral Oncology and Reconstructive Surgery, Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology, Bangalore, India
Online published on 29 August, 2013.
The aim of the study was to analyze the tissue response to stainless steel and titanium mini plates used in maxillofacial trauma.
30 patients treated for various mandibular fractures were considered: 12 patients treated with stainless steel plate and 18 treated with titanium plates, time gap varying from 10 to 79 months.
Transmission electron microscopic results reported leaching of metallic particles, which were observed in 20 patients, of whom 8 were plated with titanium plates and 12 with stainless steel plates. Leaching of metallic particles reported in these 20 patients had implantation period of more than 15 months. Mixture of chronic inflammatory cells was found around the implant on compound microscopy.
Leaching of metallic particles into the surrounding tissues more commonly occurs with stainless steel plates and also in patients in whom plates were retained for a prolonged period of time of more than 15 months. Plates should be removed once their purpose is fulfilled.
Transmission electron microscope, Stainless steel plates, Titanium plates
