Biocompatibility of titanium alloy and stainless steel internal fixation materials in the treatment of spinal tuberculosis / 中国组织工程研究

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:Titanium aloy and stainless steel are two common internal fixation materials, but there are some difference in their therapeutic effects and biocompatibility. OBJECTIVE:To explore the therapeutic effects and biocompatibility of titanium aloy and stainless steel internal fixation materials for the treatment of spinal tuberculosis. METHODS:Seventy-one spinal tuberculosis patients, 35 males and 36 females, aged 17-81 were enroled. Among them, 35 patients received titanium aloy internal fixation, and the 36 patients underwent stainless steel internal fixation. At the end of 12-month folow-up, Cobb angle changes, therapeutic effect and Frankel grade were analyzed in the two groups. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Before treatment, there was no difference in the spinal kyphosis angle and Frankel grade between the two groups. At the last folow-up, the Frankel grade and Cobb angle were both improved in the two groups (P < 0.05), but there was stil no difference between the two groups. The cure rate was 97% (n=34) in the titanium aloy group and 92% in the stainless steel group (n=33), and no significant difference was found between the two groups. These two kinds of internal fixation materials exhibited good biocompatibility, and no infection and other adverse reactions occurred. These findings indicate that both titanium aloy and stainless steel as internal fixation materials have good biocompatibility and therapeutic effects.