Titanium instruments are probably the most expensive instruments in the world. So why does Dr. Anil Shah prefer the use of titanium instruments?
Strength To Weight Ratio
First of all, titanium instruments have the highest strength to weight ratio of any metal. A stronger, lighter metal is better for surgical instrumentation. Since the instrument is lighter, there is less wrist strain. A titanium Needle driver jaws , joint , and shank last longer than steel.
Corrosion Resistant
Titanium is also more heat resistant than steel so when autoclaving instruments you can avoid damage. Steel is corrosive. The intense heat of an autoclave and body fluids can corrode steel over time while titanium cannot.
Nonmagnetic
Titanium is also nonmagnetic, allowing for superior control of needles.
Non-Bacterial
Finally, titanium is thought to be bacteria resistant.
Sources:
Stolzoff M, Burns JE, Aslani A, et al. Decreased bacterial growth on titanium nanoscale topographies created by ion beam assisted evaporation. Int J Nanomedicine. 2017;12:1161-1169. Published 2017 Feb 9. doi:10.2147/IJN.S119750
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5310640/
McEvoy JP, Martin P, Khaleel A, Dissanayeke S. Titanium Kirschner Wires Resist Biofilms Better Than Stainless Steel and Hydroxyapatite-coated Wires: An In Vitro Study. Strategies Trauma Limb Reconstr. 2019;14(2):57-64. doi:10.5005/jp-journals-10080-1426
