title: Quantitative comparison of the histological effects of particulate polymethylmethacrylate versus polyethylene in the rabbit tibia.
abstract: Fourteen mature female New Zealand White rabbits underwent implantation of Simplex polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) powder or particulate (average 67 microns) ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) through a drill hole in the proximal right tibia. The left tibia functioned as a prepared but nonimplanted control. Animals were killed after 16 weeks. Histological examination of the bone-implant interface in the particulate PMMA group disclosed a florid foreign-body reaction with the presence of giant cells and histiocytes. The particulate UHMWPE group demonstrated positively birefringent UHMWPE fragments, rimmed by foreign-body giant cells and histiocytes, embedded in a loose connective tissue stroma. UHMWPE interfaces were thicker and contained more histiocytes and fibrocytes; PMMA interfaces contained more marrow cells and lymphocytes. This study underscores the importance of biomaterial debris in the process of aseptic loosening of cemented joint arthroplasties.
authors.affiliation: Stanford University Medical Center, Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, Ca 94305.
authors.forename: S B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Goodman
authors.forename: V L
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Fornasier
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kei
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002452:Cell Count; D005260:Female; D005549:Foreign-Body Reaction / Q000473:pathology; D008768:Methylmethacrylates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D010316:Particle Size; D011095:Polyethylenes / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D011817:Rabbits; D013977:Tibia / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery
chemical_list: D008768:Methylmethacrylates; D011095:Polyethylenes