ABSTRACT
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. MATERIAL AND METHOD: 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. CONCLUSION: 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.