Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 14, 2026

Protocol to Create Chronic Wounds in Diabetic Mice
Published on: September 25, 2019
Are allergic reactions to skin clips associated with delayed wound healing?
C G Lhotka1, T Szekeres, M Fritzer-Szekeres
1Orthopedic Hospital Gersthof, University of Vienna, Austria.
Background:
Metal skin clips are used in surgery. They may contain metals that might cause allergic reactions and delayed wound healing.
Methods:
The metal composition of 18 different surgical clamps was examined. The allergy status of 184 patients was determined by patch tests and was correlated with the clinical outcome of wound healing after application of skin clips.
Results:
Skin clips contained chromium, nickel, molybdenum, cobalt, and titanium in concentrations high enough to cause allergic reactions. Eighteen percent of the men and 23% of the women were sensitive to nickel and 16% of the men to chromium. We found a positive correlation between the grade of nickel allergy and the reaction to the skin clips.
Conclusions:
Our study suggests that allergic reactions and delayed wound healing can be caused by the use of surgical skin clips. Therefore skin clips are not recommended for patients with a history of contact dermatitis to metals and/or atopy.
More Related Videos
09:06Assessment of Acute Wound Healing using the Dorsal Subcutaneous Polyvinyl Alcohol Sponge Implantation and Excisional Tail Skin Wound Models.
Published on: March 25, 2020
10:49Doxycycline Loaded Collagen-Chitosan Composite Scaffold for the Accelerated Healing of Diabetic Wounds
Published on: August 21, 2021
Related Concept Videos
Phases of Wound Repair
Formation of Blood Clot
In case of deep injuries, trauma to blood vessels results in blood loss. In the meantime, phospholipids released from the ruptured endothelial cellular membrane are converted into arachidonic...
Allergic Drug Reactions
Hypersensitivities
Types of Hypersensitivities
Hypersensitivity reactions are categorized into four types: Type 1, Type 2, Type 3, and Type 4. Each type has a distinct mechanism...
Hypersensitivity Reactions: Delayed Hypersensitivity Reactions
Healing II: Complications
Hypersensitivity Reactions: Immune-Complex Reactions