NAA applied to the study of metallic ion transfer induced by orthopedic surgical tools or by metallic prostheses

After implantation of a metallic prosthesis in a patient, damage can occur and surrounding tissues may be modified. We relate these effects by charact erizing the soft tissue content. However, the variations in element concent rations can be small and it is necessary to evaluate the instrumental conta mination, which we measure in muscular and capsular tissues surrounding the hips of selected corpses. From corpses, which never undergo surgical opera tions, samples have been cut with different surgical tools. From corpses wi th hip prosthesis, samples have been cut with scalpels to determine the con tamination induced by metallic prostheses. Results give the mineral composi tion of surgical tools and of muscular and capsular tissues.