Table 2 Proportions of agreement and disagreement in statements about general attitudes towards implant removal.
From: Surgeons' beliefs and perceptions about removal of orthopaedic implants
Statement | n | I strongly agree | I agree | I don't know | I disagree | I strongly disagree |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Orthopedic implants must be removed in younger patients (<40 years of age), even if they cause no problems | 645 | 39 (6.0%) [4.3–8.2%] | 200 (31.0%) [27.5–34.7%] | 33 (5.1%) [3.5–7.1%] | 297 (46.0%) [42.1–50.0%] | 76 (11.8%) [9.4–14.5%] |
Leaving implants in-situ poses a risk for later fractures | 645 | 15 (2.3%) [1.3–3.8%] | 212 (32.9%) [29.3–36.6%] | 104 (16.1%) [13.4–19.2%] | 287 (44.5%) [40.6–48.4%] | 27 (4.2%) [2.8–6.0%] |
Titanium implants are safer to be kept in-situ than devices made from stainless steel | 647 | 48 (7.4%) [5.5–9.7%] | 252 (38.9%) [35.2–42.8%] | 180 (27.8%) [24.4–31.4%] | 148 (22.9%) [19.7–26.3%] | 19 (2.9%) [1.8–4.5%] |
In case of otherwise unexplained pain and functional deficits, implant removal is a good option to improve the physical status | 646 | 51 (7.9%) [5.9–10.2%] | 394 (61.0%) [57.1–64.8%] | 78 (12.1%) [9.7–14.8%] | 111 (17.2%) [14.4–20.3%] | 12 (1.9%) [1.0–3.2%] |
Leaving implants in-situ increases the life-time risk for chronic infections, allergy, and cancer | 649 | 15 (2.3%) [1.3–3.8%] | 107 (16.5%) [13.7–19.6%] | 150 (23.1%) [19.9–26.6%] | 310 (47.8%) [43.9–51.7%] | 67 (10.3%) [8.1–12.9%] |
Removing implants is a surgical procedure which drains valuable hospital resources | 644 | 114 (17.7%) [14.8–20.9%] | 436 (67.7%) [63.9–71.3%] | 21 (3.3%) [2.0–4.9%] | 71 (11.0%) [8.7–13.7%] | 2 (0.3%) [0.0–1.1%] |
Removing implants damages healed soft tissue, and is riskier than retaining the device | 643 | 29 (4.5%) [3.0–6.4%] | 281 (43.7%) [39.8–47.6%] | 75 (11.7%) [9.3–14.4%] | 243 (37.8%) [34.0–41.7%] | 15 (2.3%) [1.3–3.8%] |
Given the time and efforts required for implant removal, this procedure is not adequately reimbursed by insurance companies | 642 | 46 (7.2%) [5.3–9.4%] | 190 (29.6%) [26.1–33.3%] | 285 (44.4%) [40.5–48.3%] | 112 (17.4%) [14.6–20.6%] | 9 (1.4%) [0.6–2.6%] |
Patients should take responsibility for the incurring costs of implant removal | 642 | 15 (2.3%) [1.3–3.8%] | 109 (17.0%) [14.2–20.1%] | 91 (14.2%) [11.6–17.1%] | 328 (51.1%) [47.1–55.0%] | 99 (15.4%) [12.7–18.5%] |