Reaction to stainless steel wire following orthognathic surgery

A patient is reported in whom, following orthognathic surgery, developed a bilateral burning sensation and pain along the masseteric muscles and preauricular region in the sight of the mandibular osteotomy where the lateral segment was tied to the medial segment using a single wire loop. This patient also had previous Kirschner wires used for a metatarsal osteotomy that needed to be removed because of similar symptoms. Removal of the mandibular wires resulted in elimination of the symptoms from the mandibular region as well. The patient's subsequent skin test proved a nickel allergy.