REVIEW OF THE BIOLOGICAL RESPONSE TO A NOVEL BONE-CEMENT CONTAINING POLY(ETHYL METHACRYLATE) AND N-BUTYL METHACRYLATE

This review describes work published independently elsewhere in which the biological reactions to poly(ethyl methacrylate) n-butyl methacryl ate (PEMBMA) have been studied. This material has been compared throug hout with conventional poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). Butyl methacr ylate monomer used in PEMBMA was slightly less toxic than methyl metha crylate monomer used in PMMA when injected intraperitoneally in mice. No differences in cardiorespiratory effects were found between n-butyl and methyl monomer infused intravenously into anaesthetized rabbits. The tissue reaction to the beaded polymers of poly(methyl methacrylate ) and poIy(ethyl methacrylate) implanted subcutaneously was identical. The surface appearance of the two materials differed significantly wh en viewed by scanning electron microscopy, showing a series of elevati ons resembling tightly packed spheres in the case of PMMA, but a smoot h surface with only occasional smooth elevations in the case of PEMBMA . Intramuscular implantation showed more fibrous tissue and tissue dam age in relation to PMMA cured in situ compared with PEMBMA and there w as more bone necrosis and a thicker fibrous tissue layer adjacent to P MMA than PEMBMA when cured intraosseously. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science L td. All rights reserved.