Sj. Breusch et al., Lavage technique in total hip arthroplasty - Jet lavage produces better cement penetration than syringe lavage in the proximal femur, J ARTHROPLA, 15(7), 2000, pp. 921-927
Sixteen paired human cadaver femora were prepared using conventional broach
es. Cancellous bone was irrigated with 1 L pulsed lavage in one femur and 1
L syringe lavage in the contralateral femur. The specimens were embedded i
n specially designed pots, and vacuum-mixed bone-cements were applied in a
retrograde manner. After application of a standard pressure to the pots, th
e femora were removed and radiographed, and horizontal sections were obtain
ed and analyzed to assess cement penetration into cancellous bone and the r
atio of the area of supported to unsupported cancellous bone (Rcb). Our res
ults show that in equal quality bone, the use of jet lavage yields signific
antly (P < .0001) improved cement penetration and Rcb compared with syringe
lavage specimens. Jet lavage should be considered routine to achieve inter
digitation with cancellous bone in cemented total hip arthroplasty.