Current cementing techniques in hip hemi-arthroplasty

To assess the use of modern cementing techniques in hip hemi-arthroplasty a postal questionnaire was sent during 1998 to all British Orthopaedic Train ing Association (B.O.T.A.) members regarding use of cement.. type of cement , bone preparation and cementing technique. The results of this survey were compared to a similar survey in 1994 to assess any change in practice. Two hundred and eighty-six trainees responded to the 1998 survey, 352 to the 1 994 survey. The use of uncemented prostheses had decreased from 31.3 in 199 4 to 21.7% in 1998. Normal viscosity Palacos cement remains the most common cement in use, 64.3% in 1998. The use of antibiotic loaded cement has incr eased from 53.7 in 1994 to 67.9% in 1998. For bone preparation 47.3% of tra inees in 1998 used a modern technique (syringe irrigation/pulsed lavage, br ushing, gauze packing) compared to 35.1% in 1994. Modern cement insertion ( retrograde gun, cement restriction and sustained pressure) was carried out by 39.3% in 1998 compared to 28.5% in 1994. Overall 27.2% of trainees used modern cementing techniques in hip hemi-arthroplasty, compared to 19.4% in 1994. Modern cementing techniques are used by a minority of British orthopa edic trainees, but in comparison to 1994 their use has increased. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.