METHYL-METHACRYLATE LEVELS IN THE BREAST-MILK OF A PATIENT AFTER TOTAL HIP-ARTHROPLASTY

Blood levels of methyl methacrylate (MMA) are known to be transiently elevated in patients having undergone total hip arthroplasty using cem ent fixation. However, it is not known whether MMA is present in the b reast milk of lactating women after this procedure. The authors studie d an otherwise healthy lactating 29-year-old mother 5 months postpartu m who had undergone total hip arthroplasty because of walking limitati ons due to congenital hip dysplasia. Less than 0.0005 mu g/mL of MMA w as found in her breast milk 36 hours after the procedure. If the negat ive findings in this case can be confirmed in a larger trial, the curr ent practice of discontinuing breast-feeding after arthroplasty may be reconsidered.