[Serum cobalt and serum chromium level in 2 patients with chronic renal failure after total hip prosthesis implantation with metal-metal gliding contact].
OBJECTIVE
The influence of chronic renal failure on serum cobalt and serum chromium in two patients with metal-on-metal bearing (Metasul) and cementless total hip arthroplasty (Alloclassic) is investigated.


METHODS
Serum cobalt and serum chronium levels were determined in the postoperative course using atomic absorption spectrometry.


RESULTS
Maximum values are found to be more than 100-fold elevated when compared to the reported median serum cobalt concentrations in patients with the same prosthesis type and no known renal disease.


CONCLUSIONS
Chronic renal failure seems to be responsible for the marked elevation of serum cobalt and serum chromium.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite evidence of adverse health reactions, a possible effect of long-term cobalt and chromium loading cannot be neglected. In our opinion, metal-on-metal bearings in THA should not be inserted in patients with chronic renal failure. Follow-up investigations (serum cobalt, serum chromium, serum creatinine, BUN, echocardiography) should be performed at short intervals.
Brodner
W
W
Universitätsklinik für Orthopädie, AKH Wien. wolfram.brodner@akh-wien.ac.at
Grohs
J G
JG
Bitzan
P
P
Meisinger
V
V
Kovarik
J
J
Kotz
R
R
D000328:Adult; D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip; D002857:Chromium / Q000097:blood*; D003035:Cobalt / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000097:blood*; D007677:Kidney Function Tests; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000097:blood*; D011474:Prosthesis Design
D002857:Chromium; D003035:Cobalt