Evaluation of Metal Concentrations in Hair and Nail After Orthognathic Surgery

Introduction: Titanium miniplates are widely used in orthognathic surgery. Titanium is considered to be a bioinert material, although its long-term accumulation in distant human tissues is unclear. The study was designed to evaluate the concentrations of aluminum (Al), titanium (Ti), and vanadium (V) in the hair and nail of patients who underwent orthognathic surgery. Methods: The study group comprised 20 patients who had had orthognathic surgery minimum 14 and maximum 96 months previously (mean [SD], 54.7 [3.5] mo). Miniplates and miniscrews were made of Ti-6Al-4V alloys (Trimed, Ankara, Turkey). The control group comprised 10 healthy adults not operated on. Metal concentrations in the hair and nail of the subjects were measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscope (Thermo Elemental X7 series; Thermo Electron, London, England). Descriptive statistical methods were used for data analysis, and Mann-Whitney test was used to compare both groups. Results: Concentrations of Al, Ti, and V in the hair of the study group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P < 0.001). Nail Ti and V concentrations of the study group were also significantly higher than those of the control group (P < 0.001 and P < 0.01, respectively). Nail Al concentration was similar in both groups (P > 0.05). Conclusions: Increased corrosive element concentrations may be observed in the hair and nail of patients who underwent orthognathic surgery.