FDA seeks expert advice on safety of metal-on-metal hip replacements.

The AP (3/30) reports, "The Food and Drug Administration will hold a two-day meeting in June to discuss growing safety concerns about metal-on-metal hip replacements, which recent studies suggest are more likely to fail than traditional plastic hips." The agency "already asked device companies to conduct additional follow-up studies to monitor problems with the" metal "implants."

        Reuters (3/30) reports that, in a statement, Dr. William Maisel, deputy director of science at FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health, said, "We are asking outside scientific and medical experts to discuss recent information on these devices so that the agency can continue to make reliable safety recommendations."

        Medscape (3/30, Crane) reports, "The expert panel will discuss failure rates and modes, metal ion testing, imaging methods, local and systemic complications, patient risk factors, and considerations for follow-up after surgery."