Are allergic reactions to skin clips associated with delayed wound healing?

Patient Journey Map: Metal Hypersensitivity

In this study, we highlight patients' experiences with metal hypersensitivity (MH) after receiving implantable medical devices (IMDs). We aim to identify gaps in clinical care and improve outcomes for individuals who have or may be sensitive to metals. Secondary data analysis from a previous interpretative phenomenological qualitative study was utilized. Using patient journey maps, we explored the experiences of 8 individuals from outpatient settings who received IMD and have first-hand experience with MH. We documented their journey from MH symptom recognition to diagnosis and subsequent IMD management. The results reveal that the time frames from device implantation to the treatment of MH varied from 17 to 228 months. The longest phase on the patient journey maps was the symptom recognition phase, which refers to the time between symptom emergence and MH diagnosis. Participants also required extensive healthcare utilization following their initial surgery. These findings emphasize that MH should be considered in differential diagnoses for patients with IMD. Early screening and detection of MH can enhance patient safety, alleviate distress, and reduce unnecessary healthcare utilization.

Hypersensitivity Reaction to Metal: A Bibliometric Study

Background: To delineate the scientific publications on metal hypersensitivity. Methods: Scopus database from 1946 to 2020, written in English, Spanish, or Portuguese. This is a bibliometric study, with a descriptive and quantitative approach. For data analysis, we used RStudio® and VOSviewer® and bibliometric packages-bibliometrix and biblioshiny. Results: Of the 804 articles retrieved, most of the publications come from European, Asian, and American countries, with Germany, Japan, and United States leading. Published articles and keywords refer to orthopedic, dermatological, and orthodontic specialties. Conclusion: Scientific production is scarce with slight oscillations in the studied period, authored predominantly by researchers in North America and Europe. Articles were mostly published in scientific journals in the fields of dermatology, dentistry, and orthopedics, which indicated the need for greater investments in the research development on the topic.

Contact Dermatitis in the Surgical Patient: A Focus on Wound Closure Materials

ABSTRACT

Irritant and allergic contact dermatitis from wound closure materials can occur in patients after surgical procedures. The resulting inflammation from contact dermatitis can compromise wound healing, mimic surgical site infections, and result in wound dehiscence. Components of wound closure material, such as antibiotic coatings, dyes, sterilizing compounds, or the material itself, have been implicated as contact allergens. This article provides the latest overview of the components of 3 major forms of wound closure materials-sutures, staples, and tissue adhesives-associated with contact dermatitis, discusses their cross-reactivity, and provides diagnostic and treatment guidelines.

Nickel hypersensitivity and skin patch testing in total hip replacement surgery: a systematic review

Approximately 60,000 cemented femoral stems are implanted in the UK each year with the majority being manufactured from stainless steel containing 10–15% nickel. Nickel hypersensitivity has been reported in up to 13% of the general population and there is a concern that nickel hypersensitivity might adversely affect the outcome of total hip replacement (THR). We reviewed the current literature on the potential link between nickel hypersensitivity and THR complications, and the usefulness of patch testing.

We conducted a literature search in PubMed, MEDLINE and EMBASE databases. The level of evidence and the quality of the selected studies were assessed using the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine Criteria and the Methodological Index for Non-Randomised Studies tool, respectively.

Twenty-six studies met the inclusion criteria, reporting on 1852 patients who underwent primary or revision THR. All studies detailed skin patch testing and recorded prevalence of nickel hypersensitivity from 1.5% to 33.3%. Five studies reported a rise in Nickel hypersensitivity following THR, while four reported a decreased prevalence post-operatively. Eight studies concluded that metal hypersensitivity could have developed following THR, while seven studies did not support a link between metal hypersensitivity and THR complications. Four of the studies recommended routine patch testing pre-operatively, but three others concluded that routine patch testing was not indicated.

We have not identified a link between nickel hypersensitivity and THR complications, and the role of patch testing remains unclear. Further large-scale studies would be required to investigate this relationship and to clarify the role of patch testing in facilitating implant selection.

Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2021;6:825-838. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.6.210051

Smell and taste in titanium and nickel allergic sensitization in orthodontic patients

OBJECTIVE

To assess the prevalence of allergic sensitization to titanium and nickel in orthodontic patients and to evaluate alterations of smell and taste.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

A total of 250 subjects were invited to participate, 245 accepted. The age range was 11-45 years, 68% were females and 52% adolescents. An epicutaneous patch test was performed. Of the positive subjects in the patch test, 26 participated in the taste and smell testing and were matched by age and sex with 26 negative subjects.

RESULTS

The prevalence of hypersensitivity to titanium and/or nickel in orthodontic patients was 15.5%. Taste and smell were more impaired in sensitized subjects (P ≤ .025), taste was more affected than smell and the tastes most affected were sour and bitter tastes, while the sweet taste was least impaired.

CONCLUSION

The allergic sensitization to titanium is more uncommon than to nickel, with altered smell and taste related to those hypersensitivities.

A retrospective study on titanium sensitivity: Patch test materials and manifestations

Background

Titanium is being increasingly used. Although it is considered to be a non‐allergenic material, allergic reactions to it have been reported. Titanium dioxide has been found to be an unreliable patch test material. Few studies to date have profiled titanium allergy, and it therefore remains difficult to distinguish its manifestations.

Objectives

To evaluate alternatives for titanium dioxide as a patch test preparation, and to profile titanium reactions and manifestations.

Methods

A retrospective chart review was conducted with 458 patients who underwent patch testing with at least 1 of 5 different titanium salts.

Results

At least 1 positive result was noted in 5.7% of the patients. The frequency of positive results for the tested salts ranged from 0.9% to 7.9%. Titanium(IV) oxalate hydrate had the highest yield and titanium dioxide the lowest. Erythema, dermatitis and local swelling were the most common objective complaints. In 16 (61.5%) patients, the test result had partial or full clinical relevance.

Conclusions

No titanium‐specific risk factors and clinical picture could be identified. Titanium dioxide is not adequately sensitive for identifying titanium allergy. The titanium salts seem to be possible superior patch test preparations, but appear to be unsuitable if used singly. The patient's medical history and clinical picture remain crucial in the diagnostic work‐up.

Contact Dermatitis Reaction to 2-Octyl Cyanoacrylate Following 3 Orthopedic Procedures

Two-octyl cyanoacrylate is a popular skin adhesive used for closing surgical incisions. Since Food and Drug Administration approval in 1998, the few reports of adverse reactions following its use have primarily been limited to the nonorthopedic literature. The authors present a case series of contact dermatitis associated with 2-octyl cyanoacrylate following orthopedic surgery and a review of the literature on the diagnosis and treatment of this complication. All 3 patients presented with blistering around their incisions within 2 weeks of surgery and responded to treatment involving removal of the offending agent and use of oral diphenhydramine and hydroxyzine and topical triamcinolone. One case was complicated by a draining hematoma, requiring irrigation and debridement. Complete resolution occurred in all cases. This case series is intended to increase awareness in the orthopedic community of allergic contact dermatitis to 2-octyl cyanoacrylate and its appropriate treatment. [Orthopedics. 2018; 41(2):e289-e291.].

Proposed ICDRG Classification of the Clinical Presentation of Contact Allergy

The International Contact Dermatitis Research Group proposes a classification for the clinical presentation of contact allergy. The classification is based primarily on the mode of clinical presentation. The categories are direct exposure/contact dermatitis, mimicking or exacerbation of preexisting eczema, multifactorial dermatitis including allergic contact dermatitis, by proxy, mimicking angioedema, airborne contact dermatitis, photo-induced contact dermatitis, systemic contact dermatitis, noneczematous contact dermatitis, contact urticaria, protein contact dermatitis, respiratory/mucosal symptoms, oral contact dermatitis, erythroderma/exfoliative dermatitis, minor forms of presentation, and extracutaneous manifestations.

Constitutive overexpression of periostin delays wound healing in mouse skin

Periostin is a matricellular protein involved in development, maintenance, and regulation of tissues and organs via by binding to cell surface integrin receptors. Pathologically, periostin plays an important role in the process of wound healing: as a deficiency of the Postn gene delays wound closure and periostin is consistently up-regulated in response to injury and skin diseases. However, the functional role of elevated periostin in the process of wound healing has not been tested. In this study, we generated Postn-transgenic mice under the control of the CAG promoter/enhancer to investigate the effects of constitutive overexpression of full length periostin during its pathophysiological roles. Transgenic mice showed significant overexpression of periostin in skin, lung, and heart, but no morphological changes were observed. However, when these transgenic mice were injured, periostin overexpression delayed the closure of excisional wounds. Expression of IL-1β and TNFα, pro-inflammatory cytokines important for wound healing, was significantly decreased in the transgenic mice, prior to delayed healing. Infiltration of neutrophils and macrophages, the main sources of IL-1β and TNFα, was also down-regulated in the transgenic wound sites. From these data, we conclude that enforced expression of periostin delays wound closure due to reduced infiltration of neutrophils and macrophages followed by down-regulation of IL-1β and TNFα expression. This suggests that regulated spatiotemporal expression of periostin is important for efficient wound healing and that constitutive periostin overexpression interrupts the normal process of wound closure.

Allergic or Hypersensitivity Reactions to Orthopaedic Implants

Allergic or hypersensitivity reactions to orthopaedic implants can pose diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Although 10% to 15% of the population exhibits cutaneous sensitivity to metals, deep-tissue reactions to metal implants are comparatively rare. Nevertheless, the link between cutaneous sensitivity and clinically relevant deep-tissue reactions is unclear. Most reactions to orthopaedic devices are type IV, or delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions. The most commonly implicated allergens are nickel, cobalt, and chromium; however, reactions to nonmetal compounds, such as polymethyl methacrylate, antibiotic spacers, and suture materials, have also been reported. Symptoms of hypersensitivity to implants are nonspecific and include pain, swelling, stiffness, and localized skin reactions. Following arthroplasty, internal fixation, or implantation of similarly allergenic devices, the persistence or early reappearance of inflammatory symptoms should raise suspicions for hypersensitivity. However, hypersensitivity is a diagnosis of exclusion. Infection, as well as aseptic loosening, particulate synovitis, instability, and other causes of failure must first be eliminated.

Titanium: a review on exposure, release, penetration, allergy, epidemiology, and clinical reactivity

Exposure to titanium (Ti) from implants and from personal care products as nanoparticles (NPs) is common. This article reviews exposure sources, ion release, skin penetration, allergenic effects, and diagnostic possibilities. We conclude that human exposure to Ti mainly derives from dental and medical implants, personal care products, and foods. Despite being considered to be highly biocompatible relative to other metals, Ti is released in the presence of biological fluids and tissue, especially under certain circumstances, which seem to be more likely with regard to dental implants. Although most of the studies reviewed have important limitations, Ti seems not to penetrate a competent skin barrier, either as pure Ti, alloy, or as Ti oxide NPs. However, there are some indications of Ti penetration through the oral mucosa. We conclude that patch testing with the available Ti preparations for detection of type IV hypersensitivity is currently inadequate for Ti. Although several other methods for contact allergy detection have been suggested, including lymphocyte stimulation tests, none has yet been generally accepted, and the diagnosis of Ti allergy is therefore still based primarily on clinical evaluation. Reports on clinical allergy and adverse events have rarely been published. Whether this is because of unawareness of possible adverse reactions to this specific metal, difficulties in detection methods, or the metal actually being relatively safe to use, is still unresolved.

Allergic Reactions to Dental Materials-A Systematic Review

INTRODUCTION

Utility of various dental materials ranging from diagnosis to rehabilitation for the management of oral diseases are not devoid of posing a potential risk of inducing allergic reactions to the patient, technician and dentist. This review aims to develop a systematic approach for the selection and monitoring of dental materials available in the market thereby giving an insight to predict their risk of inducing allergic reactions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Our data included 71 relevant articles which included 60 case reports, 8 prospective studies and 3 retrospective studies. The source of these articles was Pub Med search done with the following terms: allergies to impression materials, sodium hypochlorite, Ledermix paste, zinc oxide eugenol, formaldehyde, Latex gloves, Methyl methacrylate, fissure sealant, composites, mercury, Nickel-chromium, Titanium, polishing paste and local anaesthesia. All the relevant articles and their references were analysed. The clinical manifestations of allergy to different dental materials based on different case reports were reviewed.

RESULTS

After reviewing the literature, we found that the dental material reported to cause most adverse reactions in patients is amalgam and the incidence of oral lichenoid reactions adjacent to amalgam restorations occur more often than other dental materials.

CONCLUSION

The most common allergic reactions in dental staff are allergies to latex, acrylates and formaldehyde. While polymethylmethacrylates and latex trigger delayed hypersensitivity reactions, sodium metabisulphite and nickel cause immediate reactions. Over the last few years, due to the rise in number of patients with allergies from different materials, the practicing dentists should have knowledge about documented allergies to known materials and thus avoid such allergic manifestations in the dental clinic.

Titanium allergy: a literature review

Titanium has gained immense popularity and has successfully established itself as the material of choice for dental implants. In both medical and dental fields, titanium and its alloys have demonstrated success as biomedical devices. Owing to its high resistance to corrosion in a physiological environment and the excellent biocompatibility that gives it a passive, stable oxide film, titanium is considered the material of choice for intraosseous use. There are certain studies which show titanium as an allergen but the resources to diagnose titanium sensivity are very limited. Attention is needed towards the development of new and precise method for early diagnosis of titanium allergy and also to find out the alternative biomaterial which can be used in place of titanium. A review of available articles from the Medline and PubMed database was done to find literature available regarding titanium allergy, its diagnosis and new alternative material for titanium.

Allergy related to dental implant and its clinical significance

The oral cavity provides an ideal and unique environment for study of biological processes involving metallic dental aids. Dental materials within the mouth interact continually with physiological fluids. Oral tissues are exposed to a veritable bombardment of both chemical and physical stimuli as well as the metabolism of many species of bacteria; yet, for the most part, oral tissues remain healthy. The pH of saliva varies from 5.2 to 7.8. Teeth, restorations, or any prosthesis including dental implants in the oral cavity have to function in one of the most inhospitable environments in the human body. They are subject to larger temperature and pH variations than most other parts of the body. Corrosion, the graded degradation of materials by electrochemical attack, is of concern particularly when dental implants are placed in the hostile electrolytic environment provided by the human mouth. Allergic reactions may occur from the presence of ions produced from the corrosion of implants. The present article describes various manifestations of allergic reactions due to implant material in the oral cavity.

Titanium allergy in dental implant patients: a clinical study on 1500 consecutive patients

BACKGROUND

In dentistry, allergic reactions to Ti implants have not been studied, nor considered by professionals. Placing permanent metal dental implants in allergic patients can provoke type IV or I reactions. Several symptoms have been described, from skin rashes and implant failure, to non-specific immune suppression.

OBJECTIVE

Our objective was to evaluate the presence of titanium allergy by the anamnesis and examination of patients, together with the selective use of cutaneous and epicutaneous testing, in patients treated with or intending to receive dental implants of such material.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Thirty-five subjects out of 1500 implant patients treated and/or examined (2002-2004) were selected for Ti allergy analysis. Sixteen presented allergic symptoms after implant placement or unexplained implant failures [allergy compatible response group (ACRG)], while 19 had a history of other allergies, or were heavily Ti exposed during implant surgeries or had explained implant failures [predisposing factors group (PFG)]. Thirty-five controls were randomly selected (CG) in the Allergy Centre. Cutaneous and epicutaneous tests were carried out.

RESULTS

Nine out of the 1500 patients displayed positive (+) reactions to Ti allergy tests (0.6%): eight in the ACRG (50%), one in the PFG (5.3%)(P=0.009) and zero in the control group. Five positives were unexplained implant failures (five out of eight).

CONCLUSIONS

Ti allergy can be detected in dental implant patients, even though its estimated prevalence is low (0.6%). A significantly higher risk of positive allergic reaction was found in patients showing post-op allergy compatible response (ACRG), in which cases allergy tests could be recommended.

Oral and perioral piercing complications

Background.

The oral an perioral piercing has a long history as part of religious, tribal,cultural or sexual symbolism and nowdays there is a high incidence of oral and perioral piercing in the adolescent population. This practice has a long history as part of religious, tribal, cultural or sexual symbolism. This article reviews current knowledge on injuries or diseases that might be produced by piercing in the oral cavity. We propose a classification to diagnosed the pathologies related to oral an perioral piercing

Methods.

A search was conducted of articles in PubMed, Scielo published between 1997 and 2007, using the key words ``oral and perioral, piercing ´´, ``oral, piercing and disease”, ``recessions and oral piercing´´. It has reviewed about twentythree articles 17 were narrative reviews and 6 case series

Results.

A review was carried out on the origins of oral and perioral body piercing and its local implications, classifying the different alterations like recessions, systemic implications that it can produce in the oral and perioral cavity.

Conclusion.

Patients with oral and perioral piercing should be regularly followed up because of the possible development of different types of adverse effects.

Clinical implications.

Adverse effects of oral and perioral piercing can be systemic, with transmission of infectious diseases such as hepatitis B or C, or can be local, with alteration of oral mucosae or even of dental structures.

[Orthopedic surgical implants and allergies. Joint statement by the Implant Allergy Working Group (AK 20) of the DGOOC (German Association of Orthopedics and Orthopedic Surgery), DKG (German Contact Dermatitis Research Group) and DGAKI (German Society for Allergology and Clinical Immunology)]

Materials used in osteosynthesis or artificial joint replacement are usually well tolerated. Complaints after such operations are mostly related to infection or mechanical problems but may also be caused by allergic reactions. The latter encompass skin changes, e.g., eczema, delayed wound/bone healing, recurrent effusion, pain, or implant loosening. In contrast to the high incidence of cutaneous metal contact allergy, allergies associated with implants are a rare condition. However, epidemiological data on the incidence of implant-related allergic reactions are still missing. Typical elicitors are nickel, chromium, cobalt, and constituents of bone cement (acrylates und additives such as gentamicin or benzoyl peroxide). After exclusion of the most common differential diagnoses, allergy diagnostic procedures are primarily based on patch tests including a metal and bone cement component series. Additional analysis of periimplant tissue is recommended. However, further studies are necessary to show the significance of the histologic findings and the role of the lymphocyte transformation test (LTT). Which combinations of factors will induce allergic sensitization to implants or trigger periimplant allergic reactions in the case of preexisting cutaneous metal allergy is still unknown. Titanium-based osteosynthesis materials are recommended for metal allergic patients. In elective hip replacements, a ceramic/polyethylene (PE) articulation should be used, and in knee replacements "alternative materials". If a regular, potentially applicable CoCr/PE articulation is preferred, the patient must be well informed and must give his/her written consent.

Coronary Stents, Hypersensitivity Reactions, and the Kounis Syndrome

The use of drug-eluting stents (DES) for the treatment of coronary stenosis has increased sharply and now accounts for more than 75% of all coronary stents utilized. However, concern has been increasing that DES could be associated with stent thrombosis, paradoxical coronary vasoconstriction, and hypersensitivity reactions. Components of currently used DES have been reported to induce, either separately or synergistically, hypersensitivity reactions and possibly lead to cardiac events. DES-activated intracoronary mast cells could release histamine, arachidonic acid metabolites, proteolytic enzymes, as well as a variety of cytokines, chemokines, and platelet-activating factor (PAF) leading to local inflammation and thrombosis. These events may be more common than suspected because it is hard to document them, unless they become systemic, in which case they manifest themselves as the "Kounis syndrome," characterized by the concurrence of acute coronary events with hypersensitivity reactions. Recognition of this problem may lead to better vigilance, as well as new DES with mast cell blocking molecules that may also be disease modifying.

Cellular phone dermatitis with chromate allergy

BACKGROUND

A patient with allergic contact dermatitis caused by hexavalent chromium plating on a cellular phone has already been reported.

OBJECTIVES

This study described the clinical characteristics and results of patch tests in 8 patients with contact dermatitis possibly caused by handling a cellular phone.

PATIENTS

The 8 patients were 4 males and 4 females aged from 14 to 54 years. They each noticed skin eruptions after 9-25 days of using a cellular phone. All patients had erythema, and 7 had papules on the hemilateral auricle or in the preauricular region. Three of 8 patients had a history of metal allergy. Chromate, aluminium and acrylnitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer were used as plating on the cellular phones used by these patients.

METHODS

Closed patch tests and photopatch tests were performed using metal standard antigens.

RESULTS

The patch test was positive for 0.5, 0.1 and 0.05% potassium dichromate in all 8 patients. The photopatch test showed the same results. One patient was positive for 2% cobalt chloride and one for 5% nickel sulfate.

CONCLUSION

It is important to consider the possibility of contact dermatitis due to a cellular phone, possibly caused by chromate, when the patients have erythema and papules on the hemilateral auricle or in the preauricular region.

ELISpot: a new tool for the detection of nickel sensitization

BACKGROUND

The standard assay for the clinical detection of contact allergy against nickel is the patch test. For research purposes, the in vitro lymphocyte transformation test (LTT) is mostly applied. However, the in vivo application of allergens includes the potential of sensitization, whereas the LTT demands 6 days of cell culture and radioactive labelling procedures.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to validate an enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISpot) assay to specifically detect cellular response against nickel sulphate in correlation with patch test, anamnestic data, and LTT results.

METHODS

In probands with positive (n=60) and negative patch test results (n=19), cytokine ELISpot and LTT were performed in parallel using various concentrations of nickel sulphate, various numbers of responding peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), and various durations of cell cultures.

RESULTS

Concentrations of 50 and 75 microM nickel sulphate were found to be optimal to stimulate in the ELISpot 4x10(5) and in the LTT 2x10(5) PBMC, respectively. An increase in ELISpot sensitivity was reached by pre-incubation with nickel sulphate for 24 h prior to transfer to ELISpot plates. In nickel-sensitive probands, an average precursor cell frequency of 19x10(5), 1.7x10(5), and 0.7x10(5) could be defined for IFN-gamma, IL-2, and IL-4 producing PBMC, respectively. In non-sensitive probands IFN-gamma producing cells were detectable, but with significantly lower frequency (2x10(5); P=0.004). The prior performance of patch tests had no significant effect on cytokine production or lymphocyte proliferation. Overall, the parameters patch test, anamnestic nickel allergy, ELISpot, and LTT results were positively correlated (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Based on these experiments, the quantitative in vitro detection of cell-mediated reactions towards nickel as well as other heavy metal ions should be possible utilizing the above-described ELISpot assay.

Hydrophobic interaction chromatographic separation of proteins in human blood fractions hyphenated to atomic spectrometry as detector of essential elements

The binding of metals to proteins in blood fractions was investigated applying hydrophobic interaction chromatography (HIC) for protein separation and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) as the element specific detector. For the semi-preparative separation of metalloproteins in erythrocytes and blood plasma, a HIC column (Fractogel EMD Phenyl I (S) 150 mm x 10 mm I.D.) was adapted. The separation column was calibrated with the same four standard proteins as used in Pomazal et al. [Analyst 124 (1999) 657]. The sample injection volume and the ammonium sulphate gradient set-up were optimized: 20 or 200 microl, respectively, of blood plasma and of lysed erythrocytes were injected. The separated proteins were collected in 4-ml fractions and analyzed by GFAAS off-line. An optimization of the GFAAS measuring parameters for Cu, Mn, Fe, Zn, Co, Ni, and Cr was performed. For each element, a specific temperature program was optimized with respect to the matrix of the HIC eluate (0.02 M NaH2PO4, 1.8 M (NH4)2SO4). The obtained metal profiles of the eluate were compared with the HIC chromatograms. The limits of detection (LOD) for the elements by GFAAS were: 0.5 ng Cu/ml; 0.2 ng Mn/ml; 1 ng Fe/ml; 0.2 ng Zn/ml; 0.12 ng Co/ml; 0.2 ng Ni/ml; 0.16 ng Cr/ml. The GFAAS method enabled the detection of the proteins of interest via the metals.

A case of allergic reaction to surgical metal clips inserted for postoperative boost irradiation in a patient undergoing breast-conserving therapy

We report a case of a 28-year-old woman with right-sided breast cancer. The patient had been treated for atopic dermatitis since her infancy. She underwent breast-conserving surgery (BCS) in July 1998, and three titanium clips were placed at the margin of the excision cavity at the time of surgery. Two months after surgery, the patient exhibited a rapid exacerbation of atopic dermatitis. Various drugs were suspected to be the cause of the allergic reaction, but the results of a bi-digital O-ring test (BDORT) suggested an allergic reaction to titanium clips. In August 1999, the patient underwent a second operation to remove the titanium clips under local anesthesia. Allergy to surgical titanium clips is a rare complication, but in patients with a history of severe allergic diseases, a preoperative immunologic examination should be performed and the patient's history of metal allergy should be investigated.