IMMUNE-RESPONSE TO SYNTHETIC MATERIALS - SENSITIZATION OF PATIENTS RECEIVING ORTHOPEDIC IMPLANTS

Metallic orthopaedic devices are composed of elements that are known t o be skin sensitizers in the general population, There is concern abou t the possibility of sensitivity reactions in patients bearing these i mplants, Blood samples were drawn from 22 patients having primary tota l joint replacement and who had no known prior metal allergies or expo sure, Repeat blood samples were drawn 3 months to 1 year later All pre operative blood samples showed no immune reactions against titanium, c obalt, chromium, or nickel ion solutions in a leukocyte migration inhi bition test, Thirty two percent (7 of 22) of the patients developed se nsitivity to at least 1 of the antigens, but only 5 percent (1 of 22) developed a severe reaction, Review of the literature and these studie s has indicated that such reactions can occur, However, the incidence seems to be very low.