Conclusion
We suggest that manufacturers consider vanadium-free alloys such as Ti7Al6Nb, which contains niobium instead of vanadium, in their surgical implants,22 and if surgeons have a choice, they should consider using titanium implants with niobium rather than vanadium.10 We suggest that clinicians consider vanadium allergy in patients with Ti6Al4V surgical implants and signs of a hypersensitivity reaction, and include vanadium trichloride 1% when patch testing.
Acknowledgment
The authors would like to thank Nicholas R. Krasnow, PhD (Tucson, Arizona), for his invaluable help coordinating, performing, and interpreting the metal analyses.