Tissue and Explant Analysis of Medical Implant Failure
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Newcastle Retrieval Centre - A Tissue and Explant Analysis of Medical Implant Failure
IRAS ID
278032
Contact name
David J. Deehan
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
4 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
Medical implants are used in a wide variety of common operations such as joint replacements and breast surgery. If these implants fail, this can cause considerable patient hardship, as well as being expensive for the NHS to treat, with some patients having to have their surgery re-done, or the implant removed. The Newcastle Retrieval Centre (NRC) aims to collect and analyse tissue, blood, fluid and removed implants from patients undergoing revision or removal surgery. This will be used to look into the impact of the implant on the body, and possible causes for the implant failing. Inflammatory changes in the tissue can lead to implants failing but the reasons for this are not clear. With joint replacements, it is possible that implant may wear over time, causing debris. This debris can cause inflammation in the surrounding muscles/tissues, which may lead to the implant loosening and eventually failing. In joint replacements, it has been shown that implant failure is directly related to the amount of debris produced. Tissue collected will undergo a variety of tests to help understand more about the effects of implants on the human body. The removed implants themselves will also be analysed to look into why they have worn and failed. By looking at both the tissue and the removed implant, the study will provide a clearer picture of both biological and mechanical factors that could lead to implant failure. The results will help with decisions about surgery and future implant design. The overall goal is to reduce the number of implants that fail, and therefore improve outcomes for patients.
REC name
London - Stanmore Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/LO/1012
Date of REC Opinion
27 Oct 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion