Surface Analysis of Indigenous Stainless Steel Miniplates Used in Facial Fractures

Abstract

Aims and Objective The stainless steel (SS) implants are economical and easily available. Tissue reaction due corrosion of metallic plates and release of metal particles in surrounding soft tissues is the main reason put forward by advocates of removal of SS miniplates after period of fracture healing. The objectives of this study were to examine the surfaces changes and corrosion in relation to indigenously manufactured SS mini-plates, both due to intraoperative instrumentation and tissue reaction. The composition of these mini-plates and any metal release in surrounding soft tissues was also studied.Materials and Methods Total ten plates retrieved from fracture sites, after a period of 4-12 months (mean 8 months), were studied with the help of scanning electron microscope for roughness and corrosive changes. EDX study was done to know the composition of plates and metal release from the plates. Results Our study found the above parameters were comparable to previously reported studies in the international journals Conclusion Though no major corrosion and tissue reaction was observed in this study a long term study will be required for absolute recommendation regarding necessity of removal of indigenous SS plates on regular basis.

Understanding the role of nano-topography on the surface of a bone-implant

“…Roughness analysis of surface topographies has become a routine method in material design. [32][33][34] One of the reasons is the observation that cellular function strongly depends on the grade of roughness, 35,36 which has also been confirmed by in vivo experiments. 37,38 Roughness can be analyzed by profilometric techniques, which can be subdivided into mechanical contact and optical measurements.…”

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“…A large number of available fixators differ in shape, size and design features. The most common are metal plates and screws, which have the adequate stiffness and strength to provide stabile fixation of the bone fragments under cyclic functional load [1].…”

“…Stainless steel [1], titanium, and its alloys, zirconium alloys, tantalum are used for fixators manufacturing. According to modern concepts, these materials, should be biocompatible (from the chemical, physicomechanical and biological points of view) to avoid toxic and carcinogenic effect, as well as any kind of immune response [1]. However, studies of recent years have shown that none of the metal implants used in maxillofacial surgery, orthopedics or traumatology is completely inert.…”

“…The tissue response to corrosion and release of metal particles into the surrounding tissue are the main arguments in favor of removing the metal miniplates after fracture healing [1,26,43]. According to the literature, the frequency of plates removal in patients after osteosynthesis is from 3 to 18% and more.…”