Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Titanium alloy 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 alloy 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 enrolled. Among them, 35 patients received titanium alloy internal fixation, and the 36 patients underwent stainless steel internal fixation. At the end of 12-month follow-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 follow-up, the Frankel grade and Cobb angle were both improved in the two groups (P < 0.05), but there was still no difference between the two groups. The cure rate was 97% (n=34) in the titanium alloy 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 alloy and stainless steel as internal fixation materials have good biocompatibility and therapeutic effects.

中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点：生物材料；骨生物材料; 口腔生物材料; 纳米材料; 缓释材料; 材料相容性；组织工程

Key words: Tuberculosis, Spinal, Titanium, Alloys, Stainless Steel