title: Genotoxicity of fixation devices analyzed by the frequencies of sister chromatid exchange.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Metal alloys utilized in the management of jaw fractures may exert genotoxic effects. Our purpose was to compare the genotoxicity of intermaxillary fixation devices containing nickel and chromium to that of titanium miniplates utilized in treatment of jaw fractures through the analysis of sister chromatid exchange.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this prospective study, in a total of 28 non-smoker patients (10 females, 18 males; mean age 33.43±10.76; range 15 to 60 years) with jaw fractures, 14 were treated with intermaxillary fixation by administration of nickel-chromium wire and arch bar and 14 with titanium miniplates to investigate the genotoxicity of different metal alloys. The outcome variable was the frequency of sister chromatide exchange in peripheral lymphoctyes, determined through the analysis of venous blood samples obtained preoperatively and 4 to 6 weeks postoperatively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The frequency of the average sister chromatid exchange was found to be significantly higher in patients treated with the nickel-chromium intermaxillary fixation devices than those treated by titanium miniplates (1.29±0.29 vs. 0.46±0.39, p<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although titanium miniplate osteosynthesis is an invasive technique in comparison with the nickel-chromium-containing intermaxillary fixation devices, titanium seems to exert less genotoxic effect than the nickel-chromium alloy. However, this finding should be supported in clinical studies with a larger sampling size.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, İstanbul University Faculty of Dentistry, İstanbul, Turkey. barisaydil@merset.com.tr
authors.forename: Barış Altuğ
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Aydil
authors.forename: Hülya
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Koçak Berberoğlu
authors.forename: Sükrü
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Oztürk
authors.forename: Kıvanç
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Cefle
authors.forename: Sükrü
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Palandüz
authors.forename: Haluk
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Erkal
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002858:Chromium Alloys / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D016268:Internal Fixators / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008337:Mandibular Fractures / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009153:Mutagens / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012854:Sister Chromatid Exchange / Q000187:drug effects*; D014025:Titanium / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D002858:Chromium Alloys; D009153:Mutagens; D014025:Titanium