Does Additive Pressurized Carbon Dioxide Lavage Improve Cement Penetration and Bond Strength in Cemented Arthroplasty?

The modern cementing technique in cemented arthroplasty is a highly standardized and, therefore, safe procedure. Nevertheless, aseptic loosening is still the main reason for revision after cemented total knee or cemented total hip arthroplasty. To investigate whether an additional carbon dioxide lavage after a high-pressure pulsatile saline lavage has a positive effect on the bone–cement interface or cement penetration, we set up a standardized laboratory experiment with 28 human femoral heads. After a standardized cleaning procedure, the test implants were cemented onto the cancellous bone. Subsequently, the maximum failure load of the bone–cement interface was determined using a material testing machine to pull off the implant, and the cement penetration was determined using computed tomography. Neither the maximum failure load nor cement penetration into the cancellous bone revealed significant differences between the groups. In conclusion, according to our experiments, the additive use of the carbon dioxide lavage after the high-pressure pulsatile lavage has no additional benefit for the cleaning of the cancellous bone and, therefore, cannot be recommended without restrictions.

Pressurized Carbon Dioxide Lavage Reduces the Incidence of a Radiolucent Line Around the Tibial Component Two Years After Total Knee Arthroplasty

Introduction: In cemented total knee arthroplasty (TKA), pressurized carbon dioxide (CO2) lavage prior to cement fixation can eliminate debris at the bone-cement interface and is considered effective for increasing cement penetration and preventing aseptic loosening. Regarding the risk of a preliminary diagnosis of implant loosening, a radiolucent line (RLL) is a valuable sign. The purpose of this study was to compare the incidence of a tibial RLL at 2 years after TKA with and without pressurized CO2 lavage.Methods: This is a retrospective study. One hundred knees from 98 patients were enrolled in this study. TKA was performed without pressurized CO2 lavage (CO2- group) for the first 47 knees, and with pressurized CO2 lavage (CO2+ group) for the next 53 knees. The depth of cement penetration was measured just after surgery, and the incidence of tibial RLL >2 mm, at 2 years after TKA was determined. Results: Significant differences between groups were not seen regarding pre- and postoperative clinical factors. The depth of cement penetration in each area was significantly higher in the CO2+ group. The frequency of knees with RLL >2 mm was significantly lower in the CO2+ group than in the CO2- group (p<0.001).Conclusions: Pressurized CO2 lavage improved cement penetration and decreased the incidence of tibial RLL >2 mm at 2 years after TKA. Since the RLL has been reported as a valuable sign for preliminary diagnosis of loosening, pressurized CO2 lavage appears effective for preventing loosening.

Pulsatile Lavage Improves Tibial Cement Penetration and Implant Stability in Medial Unicompartmental Arthroplasty: A Cadaveric Study

Cemented unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) shows good survivorship and function. However, implant failure, causing the need for revision, can occur. Aseptic loosening is still among the most common reasons for revision. The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of preimplantation lavage technique on tibial cement penetration depth, tibial cement volume, and load to fracture in the tibial component of mobile-bearing UKA. In 10 pairs of fresh frozen human tibiae, cemented UKA was implanted by an experienced surgeon. Tibial components were then implanted, left and right tibiae were randomly allocated to group A or B. Prior to implantation, irrigation was performed with either syringe lavage or pulsatile jet lavage in a standardized manner. Cement surface was 4170.2 mm2 (3271.6–5497.8 mm2) in the syringe lavage group, whereas the jet lavage group showed 4499.3 mm2 (3354.3–5809.1 mm2); cement volume was significantly higher as well (4143.4 mm3 (2956.6–6198.6 mm3) compared with 5936.9 mm3 (3077.5–8183.1 mm3)). Cement penetration depth was 2.5 mm (1.7–3.2 mm) for the jet lavage, and 1.8 mm (1.2–2.4 mm) for the syringe lavage. The mean fracture load was 4680 N in the jet lavage group and 3800 N in the syringe lavage group (p = 0.001). Subsidence was significantly higher for syringe lavage. This study suggests a correlation of cement penetration depth and cement volume to implant failure in the tibial component of a UKA using a cadaveric model. The type of bone lavage most likely influences these two key parameters.

Effect of tourniquet application on cement penetration in primary total knee arthroplasty: a meta-analysis

Background Tourniquet application is expected to improve surgery exposure and cementation process in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) but its effectiveness remains controversial and needs to be further explored. The aim of this meta-analysis was to assess the effect of tourniquet in primary TKA. The hypothesis is that the tourniquet application affects the cement penetration in TKA. Methods A search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library for the potentially eligible articles. Two independent researchers reviewed the articles retrieved against the pre-designed inclusion and exclusion criteria. In primary TKA, cement penetration was assessed, and the data between the tourniquet-assisted and non-tourniquet-assisted TKAs were compared. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. Results A total of 4 randomized controlled trials and 3 non-randomized controlled trials (involving 675 patients) were included. There was no significant difference between the tourniquet-assisted and non-tourniquet-assisted TKAs in terms of cement penetration (P > 0.05). There were no significant differences in the total surgical time, blood loss, blood transfusion, the Knee Society Score, and the visual analogue scale (VAS) between the two kinds of procedures (P > 0.05). Conclusions Tourniquet application may not affect cement penetration in primary TKA and may not help reduce blood loss, ease knee pain or improve the knee function. A surgeon may choose to use a tourniquet or not according to his or her own preference. Level of Evidence Level Ib, meta-analysis.

Improving the cementation of the tibial component in knee arthroplasty

Aims The main objective of this study is to analyze the penetration of bone cement in four different full cementation techniques of the tibial tray. Methods In order to determine the best tibial tray cementation technique, we applied cement to 40 cryopreserved donor tibiae by four different techniques: 1) double-layer cementation of the tibial component and tibial bone with bone restrictor; 2) metallic cementation of the tibial component without bone restrictor; 3) bone cementation of the tibia with bone restrictor; and 4) superficial bone cementation of the tibia and metallic keel cementation of the tibial component without bone restrictor. We performed CT exams of all 40 subjects, and measured cement layer thickness at both levels of the resected surface of the epiphysis and the endomedular metaphyseal level. Results At the epiphyseal level, Technique 2 gave the greatest depth compared to the other investigated techniques. At the endomedular metaphyseal level, Technique 1 showed greater cement penetration than the other techniques. Conclusion The best metaphyseal cementation technique of the tibial component is bone cementation with cement restrictor. Additionally, if full tibial component cementation is to be done, the cement volume used should be about 40 g of cement, and not the usual 20 g. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2021;10(8):467–473.

The impact of tourniquet on tibial bone cement penetration in different zones in primary total knee arthroplasty: a meta-analysis

Background Cement mantle penetration and the cement–bone interface strength were critical to a successful primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA). It remained unclear whether decreased blood and fat in the cancellous bone achieved with the use of a tourniquet increases tibial cement mantle penetration in different zones on AP and lateral view in TKA according to criteria defined by the Knee Society Scoring System (KSS). The purpose of this study was to determine whether tourniquet use influences tibial cement mantle penetration in different zones on AP and lateral view in TKA according to KSS. Methods We conducted a meta-analysis to identify studies involving the impact of tourniquet use and no tourniquet use on tibial bone cement penetration in primary TKA in electronic databases, including Web of Science, Embase, PubMed, Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, Cochrane Library, Highwire, CBM, VIP, Wanfang database, up to January 2021. Finally, we identified 1231 patients (1231 knees) assessed in twelve studies. Results Tourniquet use increases the cumulative cement mantle penetration (P < 0.00001), mean cement mantle penetration (P = 0.004), and cement mantle in zone 3(P < 0.0001) on AP view. However, there were no significant differences in cement mantle in zone 1(P = 0.5), zone 2(P =0 .54), zone 4(P = 0.07) on AP view, and zone 1(P = 0.32), zone 2(P = 0.38) on lateral view between two groups. There were also no significant differences in length of surgery(P = 0.7), change in hemoglobin(P = 0.4), transfusion rates(P = 0.47), and complications such as muscular calf vein thrombosis(P = 0.21), superficial infection (P = 0.72), and deep vein thrombosis (P = 0.66) between two groups. Conclusion The application of a tourniquet increases the thickness of the tibial bone cement penetration—the increase in the thickness of bone cement penetration mainly located in zone 3 on the anteroposterior (AP) view.

Effects of tourniquet use on clinical outcomes and cement penetration in TKA when tranexamic acid administrated: a randomized controlled trial

Background The role of a tourniquet is still controversial for patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Our current study was performed to determine whether the nonuse of the tourniquet combine with tranexamic acid (TXA) application in TKA patients with end-stage osteoarthritis would accelerate the perioperative recovery rate and provide enough cement mantle thickness for implant fixation. Methods In this prospective, randomized controlled trial, 150 end-stage knee osteoarthritis patients receiving TKA were divided into three groups: group A (tourniquet group), group B (non-tourniquet group), and group C (tourniquet in cementation group). All enrolled patients received 3 g of intravenous TXA and 1 g topical TXA. The primary outcomes included blood loss variables and transfusion values. The secondary outcomes included VAS pain score, inflammatory factors level, range of motion, HSS score, postoperative hospital stay, and complication. Furthermore, by using a digital linear tomosynthesis technique, tibial baseplate bone cement mantle thickness was measured in four zones based on the knee society scoring system. Results No significant difference was found among the three groups with regards to total blood loss, transfusion, and complication. However, patients in group B showed lower inflammatory factors levels, shorter length of hospital stay, better range of motion, and lower postoperative pain. No significant difference was found among the three groups in four zones in terms of bone cement mantle thickness. Conclusions For end-stage knee osteoarthritis patients, the absence of tourniquet did not appear to affect blood loss and cement penetration in TKA patients. Furthermore, less inflammation reaction and better knee function can be achieved without a tourniquet. We recommend no longer use a tourniquet in primary TKA for patients with end-stage osteoarthritis when TXA is administrated. Trial registration ChiCTR-INR-16009026. Level of evidence Therapeutic Level I.