Comparative study of tissue reaction following local-made plating and imported plating of long bone fracture.
BACKGROUND
In the medical field, local made implants have been widely used throughout the country. However there is less available information regarding the quality and standard of the implant.


OBJECTIVE
To compare the occurrence of biologic tissue reactions between the uses of imported versus local plates.


METHODS
Between September 2004 and July 2006, 40 united tibia fractures with satisfactory outcomes and radiographic union were evaluated for tissue reaction. Twenty patients were fixed with local plates and the other twenty patients were fixed with imported plates (AO brand). Informed consent was obtained The evaluation was performed blinded by one pathologist. Fibrosis, foreign body reaction, inflammation, and the presence of metal particles were classified on a modified four-point scale, as described by Mathiesen et al.


RESULTS
There are 38 males and two females. The average age was 30.2 years (local) and 32 years (imported). Four patients, two with imported plate and two with local plate, showed significant discoloration of soft tissue adjacent to the plate. Histologically there was no significant difference between imported and local plates by Chi-square test.


CONCLUSIONS
The current study emphasizes the clinical significance of corroded effects following metal fixation. The present study did not reveal any significant difference in biologic reaction between local plate and imported plate.
Center of Excellence in Orthopedics, Lerdsin General Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand.
Thavat
T
Prasartritha
Niwet
N
Visetshaisee
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001860:Bone Plates; D003343:Corrosion; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D017102:Fracture Healing; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019736:Prostheses and Implants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011859:Radiography; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome