Unrecoverable bi-products of drilling titanium alloy and tantalum metal implants: a pilot study.

Background: Trabecular metal implants with a porous architecture that allows for the incorporation of bone into the implant during healing are gaining popularity in alloplastic revision procedures. The bi-products of drilling titanium alloy (Ti) and tantalum (Ta) implants have not been previously assessed.

Methods: Four holes were drilled in each of 2 spatially porous trabecular implants, one Ta and the other Ti alloy (Ti-6Al-7Nb), for this pilot in vitro study.