Experience with percutaneous titanium implants in the head and neck: a clinical and histological study.
Percutaneous implants have been associated with numerous problems. However, by using skin-penetrating, bone-anchored titanium implants, developed by Professor Brånemark at the Department of Anatomy, University of Göteborg, good long-term results have been observed. These implants have been in clinical use for anchorage of bone-conducting hearing aids and facial prostheses since 1977 and 1979, respectively. The total number of implants is approximately 700. Less than 4% of the observations have shown significant irritation. Biopsies from 33 patients were collected for histological studies. In the irritated skin there was an increased number of inflammatory cells, mainly polymorphonuclear cells, B-cells, and plasma cells but not T-cells. This suggests a response directed against exogenous agents rather than an allergic reaction against the implant per se.
Holgers
K M
KM
Department of Anatomy, University of Göteborg, Sweden.
Bjursten
L M
LM
Thomsen
P
P
Ericson
L E
LE
Tjellström
A
A
D004431:Ear, External; D005549:Foreign-Body Reaction / Q000473:pathology; D006257:Head; D006310:Hearing Aids; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000473:pathology; D009333:Neck; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D014025:Titanium / Q000009:adverse effects
D014025:Titanium