Loading...
Steel wars: the surface strikes back
Schmidt, Jesica Dash, Brooklyn Hawkins, C. J. Lowe, Terry C.
Schmidt, Jesica
Dash, Brooklyn
Hawkins, C. J.
Lowe, Terry C.
Citations
Altmetric:
Advisor
Editor
Date
Date Issued
2025-04
Date Submitted
Keywords
Collections
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Journal Issue
Embargo Expires
Abstract
Metals are widely used to repair, restore, and augment the function of human bone and other tissues. They are also used extensively in surgical tools and appliances. One challenge of metals contacting human tissues is ensuring their biocompatibility. The human immune system rejects substances that are not native to our bodies. Some individuals may experience allergic reactions to specific metals. This research evaluated the risks of human soft tissues being exposed to cast martensitic stainless steel during surgery. The devices, called spinal retractor blades and retractor hooks, are used by surgeons to spread fatty and muscular tissues on a patient’s back, often for hours during spinal surgery. The retractors are removed after surgery, cleaned, and sterilized to be used repeatedly. The biocompatibility risks from repeated contact of metals with tissue are categorized by international standards, including ISO 10993, ISO 5832, and ISO 7153. Undesirable interactions between metals and tissues due to several effects such as cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, carcinogenicity, reproductive toxicity, immunotoxicity, systemic toxicity, metal degradation products or leachable products causing undesirable reactions. We assessed the biocompatibility of cast 420 stainless steel spinal retractors in the newly fabricated condition and after hospital use. Our evaluation included Laser Confocal Raman and Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy to identify elements and compounds that could pose risks. Surprisingly, we discovered degradation products in both pristine unused and hospital-used retractors. Iron oxide and hydroxide corrosion products were present on new and used retractors alike. Furthermore, used retractors showed evidence of pitting corrosion, likely associated with repeated steam sterilization treatments.
Associated Publications
Rights
Copyright of the original work is retained by the author.