Affiliations: Laboratory of Applied Physiology, Department of STB, School of Medicine, University of L’Aquila, Italy | Chair of Maxillo‐Facial Surgery, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of L’Aquila, Italy
Note: [] Correspondence should be sent to: M.G. Tozzi‐Ciancarelli, Laboratory of Applied Physiology, Department of STB, School of Medicine, University of L’Aquila, Via Vetoio, Loc. Coppito, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy. Tel.: 39 862 433445; Fax: 39 862 433433.
Abstract: A short‐term in vitro experimental study was performed to analyze the effects of metallic miniplates used in maxillo‐facial rigid internal fixation on some functional features of human erythrocytes that represent a pivotal rheological component for correct blood flow in the tissular area surrounding metallic implants. In our working conditions, no interference on osmotic fragility, intracellular ATP content and spontaneous hemolysis was observed. Conversely, a statistically significant increase of rigidity in the deeper lipid region of erythrocyte membrane was verified. On the basis of our results, the in vitro erythrocyte modifications after 18 h of whole blood/metallic device contact are relatively small and negligible.
Keywords: Metallic miniplates, erythrocyte membrane fluidity, oxidative process
