Abstract
Whole blood metal ion levels remain a concern in those patients undergoing total hip replacement with metal bearing surfaces. The determination of baseline reference levels are essential if useful information can be gleaned from in vivo studies of functioning implants. We set out to prospectively determine chromium and cobalt metal ion concentrations in patients undergoing total hip replacement to determine reference levels of these metal ions.
100 patients with normal renal function, no occupational or environmental exposure to cobalt and chromium, and an absence of implanted metals were recruited into the study. Metal ion levels were determined using two different assay methods. Both ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectroscopy) and GFAAS (Graphite Furnace Atomic Adsorption Spectroscopy) are well recognised analytical techniques for the quantification of trace elements. Levels were correlated with gender, age and place of residence.
There was considerable variability in whole blood metal ion levels, with the ICP-MS being more sensitive and consistent than the GFAAS method. Direct comparison of concentration levels determined by the two methods revealed no significant correlation. There was no correlation with age, gender and place of residence.
Our findings would favour the use of the ICP-MS to determine reference levels and as a baseline for metalion surveillance pre-operatively in patients undergoing metal-on-metal total hip replacements. We also determined that changes in whole blood metal ion levels are more significant than actual levels in patients who have undergone total hip replacement.
Correspondence should be addressed to Associate Professor N. Susan Stott, Orthopaedic Department, Starship Children’s Hospital, Private Bag 92024, Auckland, New Zealand.
