Orthopaedic Implants
scanners (1,4,9); this was supported by our
findings. By contrast, neither the dynamic
hip screw nor the titanium nails or plates,
including the 13-hole LISS plate, activated
the WTMDs.
Since our work was undertaken, a study
undertaken at a U.S. airport, using a
different WTMD has reported that 90% of
patients with total knee replacements were
detected (10). In response to passenger
concerns, the American Academy of
Orthopaedic Surgeons has recently
suggested orthopaedic surgeons should
provide documentation to patients with
metal implants. The U.S. Transport Safety
Administration’s policy is that passengers
with implants activating detectors will be
searched physically. Passengers with
A selection of orthopaedic implants documentation about their implant may
(Photo credit: Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge) bypass the metal detector and move
directly to the palpation search (11,12).
replacements escaped detection (4,5). with knee replacements. Importantly, the The British Airports Authority security
However, following 9/11, Kamineni et al., in approach of airport security to such team at Stansted outlined their procedures
an in vivo study, discovered that knee travellers was not published. to us. If a detector is activated, passengers
replacement were detectable by WTMDs (9). We have outlined the results of our will have a further search using, firstly, a
However, the probability of a scanner survey but it is important to note that, with hand-held device and then a palpation
detecting a TKR in vivo was not known. In regard to implants for fracture fixation, search. The physical examination may be
addition, no study had surveyed the most authors have concluded that hip performed in a cubicle at the passenger’s
concerns and experiences of passengers hemiarthroplasty prostheses do trigger request. In such circumstances the
Aviationsecurityinternational December 2007 www.asi-mag.com 27
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