title: Analysis of fume emission from ultrasonic removal of methyl methacrylate cement in revision hip surgery.
abstract: Fumes emitted from the ultrasonic instrument while removing polymethyl methacrylate cement were analyzed in three separate phases: phase 1, cement removal from bovine femur in the laboratory; phase 2, methyl methacrylate fumes collected at primary cemented total knee arthroplasty; and phase 3, fumes collected at revision hip surgery. These fumes were collected via personal sampling pumps worn by operating room personnel to determine personal levels of exposure. In phase 1 peak levels of methyl methacrylate and butyl methacrylate were obtained. Phase 2 revealed the highest levels of methyl methacrylate to be only 1 part per million or less (well below the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health recommended exposure limit of 100 parts per million), and in phase 3 there were no detectable levels of toxic substances. Therefore, we feel that the fumes emitted from the use of ultrasound in revision total hip arthroplasty are safe.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Jefferson Medical School, Philadelphia, PA.
authors.forename: G P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Cautilli
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Hozack
mesh_terms: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D001843:Bone Cements; D006622:Hip Prosthesis; D006801:Humans; D020366:Methylmethacrylate; D008768:Methylmethacrylates; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D009873:Operating Rooms / Q000592:standards*; D012086:Reoperation; D014465:Ultrasonics; D000078329:Workforce
chemical_list: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D001843:Bone Cements; D008768:Methylmethacrylates; D020366:Methylmethacrylate