Corrosion failure in stainless steel implants.
Two patients in whom corrosion failure of stainless steel implants occurred had the surgically removed implants subjected to metallurgic analysis.  Both implants showed marked pitting corrosion and required removal due to adverse tissue reaction.  Analysis of the failed implants showed them to be fabricated of alloys with a chemical composition that resulted in inferior corrosion resistance.  A simple magnetic test is suggested to indicate this type of stainless steel.
D000368:Aged; D001858:Bone Nails / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002857:Chromium; D003343:Corrosion; D005260:Female; D005594:Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron; D008280:Magnetics; D008297:Male; D008669:Metallurgy; D008875:Middle Aged; D009532:Nickel; D013193:Stainless Steel
D002857:Chromium; D013193:Stainless Steel; D009532:Nickel; D007501:Iron