Recently, during a meeting with spine surgeons, a formal discussion arose over a meal about a common patient concern: whether traveling by airplane after spinal surgery may cause problems with airport metal detectors. More specifically, the topic was: “Will my spinal implant set off metal detectors at the airport?” During that discussion, the short answer was: most of the time, no. However, after exploring the topic further, I identified a clinical study that examines this issue in depth. Below, I comment on the conclusions of the study:
What does the scientific evidence show?
The clinical study involved 500 patients who had undergone spinal surgery with implant placement.They evaluated whether spinal implants were detected by handheld metal detectors, similar to those used during secondary airport screening.The results showed that only 4.8% of patients triggered the detector, while more than 95% passed through security without any issues; however, the findings also indicated that not all spinal implants behave in the same way.
Which types of implants were detected more often?
The study showed that implant location is a key factor in detection. A higher likelihood of detection was observed in posterior thoracic spine implants, in multilevel surgeries involving several spinal segments, and in implants positioned closer to the skin with a larger metal volume. In contrast, detection was very low or absent in standard lumbar surgeries, anterior cervical implants, and deeply placed implants with smaller metal volume; in fact, no anterior cervical implants were detected in the study.
Does implant material matter?
Spinal implants may be made of titanium, stainless steel, or special metal alloys. Although it was once believed that certain materials were more likely to trigger detectors, current evidence shows that implant size and position are more important than the material itself.
Does body weight or BMI affect detection?
The study found that body mass index (BMI) has minimal influence. In most cases, body weight does not significantly affect whether an implant is detected.
Therefore, if I am traveling and have a spinal implant, what conclusions does the study give me?
The study concludes that implant location is more important than the implant material itself. If additional screening is required, it is typically quick and straightforward, and being well informed can help reduce anxiety during travel. For most patients, a medical certificate is not necessary, as such documents do not prevent additional screening if a detector is triggered, although they may help explain the situation if it occurs.
Traveling after spinal surgery is safe, and in most cases, it is also straightforward.
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