The biological reaction to polyethylene wear debris can be related with oxidation of the UHMWPE cups.
BACKGROUND
Oxidised UHMWPE due to gamma irradiation in air has a greater susceptibility to wear than non-oxidised UHMWPE (ethylene oxide, EtO).


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate, the biological reaction of loose implants with oxidised and non-oxidised PE components.


METHODS
Ten loose PE cups sterilised by EtO (group 1) and 13 sterilised by gamma irradiation in air (group 2) were studied. PE wear and oxidation were related to biological reaction.


RESULTS
Group 1: PE cups had low wear score and no oxidation. In the oldest implants, a few PE particles and macrophages were observed in the interface membrane. Group 2: PE inserts had medium-to-high PE wear score and variable oxidation. In the interface membrane, the number and total area of PE particles were high and variable; giant cells were more numerous than macrophages.


CONCLUSIONS
Junctional tissues around loose oxidised PE components contain more PE debris and giant cells than membranes around PE components that are not oxidised.
Brach del Prever
E M
EM
Dipartimento di Traumatologia, Ortopedia e Medicina del Lavoro, Università degli Studi di Torino Centro Traumatologico Ortopedico, Torino.
Bistolfi
A
A
Costa
L
L
Bracco
P
P
Linari
A
A
Botto Micca
F
F
Crova
M
M
Gallinaro
P
P
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000378:metabolism*; D006622:Hip Prosthesis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D011095:Polyethylenes / Q000378:metabolism*; D011474:Prosthesis Design
D011095:Polyethylenes; C111601:ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene