title: Retrospective evaluation of patch testing before or after metal device implantation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To review the results of patch testing before or after metal device implantation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective medical chart review.
  
  
  METHODS
  Tertiary care academic medical center.
  
  
  METHODS
  All patients who underwent patch testing before or after metal device implantation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patch testing.
  
  
  RESULTS
  From January 1999 through March 2006, 44 patients underwent patch testing in conjunction with metal device implantation, 22 preoperatively and 22 postoperatively. The reason for preoperative patch testing was a history of allergy to metals. Five patients had positive results for a component of the proposed device. The reasons for postoperative patch testing were unexplained skin eruptions at the implantation site (13 patients), chronic joint pain (8 patients), and joint loosening (1 patient). None of the patients had positive patch test results to a component of the previously implanted device.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although the numbers of patients in this study were small, patch testing performed before metal device implantation was helpful in guiding the choice of device selected. Patch testing after implantation was of limited value.
authors: College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
authors: Kurtis B
authors: KB
authors: Reed
authors: Mark D P
authors: MD
authors: Davis
authors: Krystal
authors: K
authors: Nakamura
authors: Linda
authors: L
authors: Hanson
authors: Donna M
authors: DM
authors: Richardson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019643:Arthroplasty, Replacement / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008670:Metals / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects; D010328:Patch Tests; D019736:Prostheses and Implants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D008670:Metals