title: The release of metals from metal-on-metal surface arthroplasty of the hip.
abstract: The aim of the study was to evaluate the serum and urine levels of cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo) and nickel (Ni) in patients who had undergone metal-on-metal hybrid surface arthroplasties on the supposition that a release of metals would occur due to the large head size of this type of implant. Metal levels were determined by using an analytical method based on sector field inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Results showed a significant difference between patients and control subjects in mean levels of Co and Cr in serum (p<0.0001 and p=0.02, respectively) and in urine (p<0.0001 for both). No significant differences were observed in mean serum and urinary levels of Mn, Mo and Ni. Although the clinical consequences of these changes, if any, are unknown, further studies could be performed in a larger number of subjects implanted with a total surface arthroplasty at follow-up times over different periods.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Occupational Medicine, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Largo Francesco Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy. iavicoli.ivo@rm.unicatt.it
authors.forename: Ivo
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Iavicoli
authors.forename: Gianluca
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Falcone
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Alessandrelli
authors.forename: Raffaella
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cresti
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: De Santis
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Salvatori
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alimonti
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Carelli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D002857:Chromium / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D003035:Cobalt / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008345:Manganese / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000097:blood* / Q000652:urine*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008982:Molybdenum / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D009532:Nickel / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D013499:Surface Properties; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D019216:Metals, Heavy; D002857:Chromium; D003035:Cobalt; D008345:Manganese; D009532:Nickel; D008982:Molybdenum