Ultrasonic bone cement removal efficiency in total joint arthroplasty revision: A computer tomographic-based cadaver study

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

Abstract

Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) removal during septic total joint arthroplasty revision is associated with a high fracture and perforation risk. Ultrasonic cement removal is considered a bone-preserving technique. Currently, there is still a lack of sound data on efficacy as it is difficult to detect smaller residues with reasonable technical effort. However, incomplete removal is associated with the risk of biofilm coverage of the residue. Therefore, the study aimed to investigate the efficiency of ultrasonic-based PMMA removal in a human cadaver model. The femoral components of a total hip and a total knee prosthesis were implanted in two cadaver femoral canals by 3rd generation cement fixation technique. Implants were then removed. Cement mantle extraction was performed with the OSCAR-3-System ultrasonic system (Orthofix®). Quantitative analysis of cement residues was carried out with dual-energy and microcomputer tomography. With a 20 µm resolution, in vitro microcomputer tomography visualized tiniest PMMA residues. For clinical use, dual-energy computer tomography tissue decomposition with 0.75 mm resolution is suitable. With ultrasound, more than 99% of PMMA was removed. Seven hundred thirty-four residues with a mean volume of 0.40 ± 4.95 mm3 were identified with only 4 exceeding 1 cm in length in at least one axis. Ultrasonic cement removal of PMMA was almost complete and can therefore be considered a highly effective technique. For the first time, PMMA residues in the sub-millimetre range were detected by computer tomography. Clinical implications of the small remaining PMMA fraction on the eradication rate of periprosthetic joint infection warrants further investigations.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1365-1375
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of orthopaedic research
Volume41 (2023)
Issue number6
Publication statusPublished - 12 Oct 2022
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMed 36222474
ORCID /0000-0003-3442-6010/work/154741262

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Keywords

  • cement removal, dual-energy CT, micro-CT, periprosthetic joint infection, ultrasound, Computers, Reoperation, Humans, Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip, Bone Cements/chemistry, Polymethyl Methacrylate/chemistry, Ultrasonics, Tomography, Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee, Cadaver

Library keywords