Gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy analysis of emissions from cement when using ultrasonically driven tools.
BACKGROUND
Ultrasonically driven tools have been used to reduce the incidence of complications during cement removal at revision hip replacement operations. These have been shown to be safe and effective in various ways, but produce fumes.


METHODS
Using gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy, we analyzed the fumes produced during the use of these ultrasonic tools for the removal of bone cement, both in the laboratory and during actual surgery.


RESULTS
Benzene, styrene, methylmethacrylate, xylene, toluene, isopropyl alcohol and dichlorobenzene were some of the substances isolated from the fumes in the laboratory. Styrene and methylmethacrylate were the main components. Concentrations of all the above components taken from the breathing zone of the operating staff during actual surgery were well below the safety limits.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of ultrasonic tools for cement removal appears to be safe.
Shewale
Sandeep B
SB
Department of Trauma and Orthopaedics, Stirling Royal Infirmary, Stirling, FK8 2AU, Scotland, U.K. shewalesandeep@yahoo.com
Briggs
Raymond D
RD
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip / Q000009:adverse effects; D001843:Bone Cements / Q000032:analysis*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D006622:Hip Prosthesis; D006801:Humans; D009873:Operating Rooms; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D012086:Reoperation; D014465:Ultrasonics
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D001843:Bone Cements