title: The quality of applied bone cement depends on the chemical composition of the application system.
abstract: The exothermal reaction of polymethylmethacrylate leads to an extensive interaction between bone cement and the synthetic material of the application system. This chemical reaction changes the structure of the cement and might generate air inclusions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two application systems for bone cement made of polycarbonate (PC) and polypropylene (PP) were evaluated. The application systems were mounted in a testing unit. The testing device injects a defined amount of bone cement with a certain pressure. After the injection procedure a microscopic examination was carried out.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no differences in the size and the design of the used syringes. Forty procedures were carried out. The time frame for application of the cement was 5 min in the PC group and 9 min in the PP group. There was a remarkable interaction between the plastics and the cement with the appearance of numerous air inclusions in the PC group. Barely any interaction was found in the PP group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Application systems made of PP enable a prolonged application time and a reduced number of air inclusions. Further research, especially on a molecular level as well as material tests on the quality of the applied bone cement, should be carried out.
authors: Center for Musculoskeletal Surgery, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University Medical Center, Mainz, Germany. proschek @ arcor.de
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Proschek
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Kafchitsas
authors: A A
authors: AA
authors: Kurth
authors: S G
authors: SG
authors: Mattyasovszky
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Betz
authors: H R
authors: HR
authors: Ludwig
authors: M G
authors: MG
authors: Mack
mesh_terms: D001843:Bone Cements / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011076:Polycarboxylate Cement / Q000737:chemistry*; D011126:Polypropylenes / Q000737:chemistry*; D013594:Syringes
chemical_list: D001843:Bone Cements; D011076:Polycarboxylate Cement; D011126:Polypropylenes; C005506:polycarbonate