Influence of materials for fixation implants on local infection. An experimental study of steel versus titanium DCP in rabbits.

Resistance to infection may be influenced by foreign bodies such as devices for fracture fixation. It is known that stainless steel and commercially-pure titanium have different biocompatibilities. We have investigated susceptibility to infection after a local bacterial challenge using standard 2.0 dynamic compression plates of either stainless steel or titanium in rabbit tibiae. After the wounds had been closed, various concentrations of a strain of Staphylococcus aureus were inoculated percutaneously. Under otherwise identical experimental conditions the rate of infection for steel plates (75%) was significantly higher than that for titanium plates (35%) (p < 0.05).