Implants of pure titanium for internal fixation of the peripheral skeleton

In a multicentre study, a clinical evaluation of the new titanium implants of the sizes 2.7, 2.0 and 1.5 mm was done. In seven centres, 133 patients were operated on and the personal, subjective opinions of the surgeons were recorded. In the opinion of these surgeons experienced in using steel implants, the outcome of the internal fixations was the same for titanium as for steel implants. Three metal-related complications occurred in the smallest size screw type (1.5 mm), namely, one screw broke and two bent. In the cases in which the implant had been removed, good tissue contact with the implant could be seen. Only in one case was there discolouring of the soft tissue due to titanium. It is recommended that surgeons who are used to handling stainless steel screws should be aware of the slightly different behaviour of titanium screws.