Biomet Cementing University

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Prof. Henrik Malchau

Henrik Malchau,
Professor, MD PhD,
Clinical Head Department of Orthopaedics,
Sahlgrenska University Hospital.
Göteborg, Sweden
 

During the last two decades, post-operative long-term results for total hip replacements have improved dramatically. While improvements certainly have been made in both implant design and manufacturing procedures, it is the new standard of surgical and cementing techniques that is most responsible for the significant reduction in risk of revision.

Micro-interlock
In 1981 Joe Miller introduced the concept of micro-interlock, which is characterized by a stronger bone cement interface. Several factors improve the mechanical quality of the micro-interlock: the bone bed is carefully cleaned, a high and reproducible bone cement quality is achieved by mixing and collecting the bone cement under vacuum, and pressurization devices are used for adequate cement filling.

Proven clinical success
The Swedish Total Hip Replacement Registry has been documenting cementing techniques and failures since 1979. Their data, based on more than 170 000 primary total hip replacements, show significantly improved longevity of implants when Modern Cementing Technique is used.

Each step linked to reduced risk for revision
In the past, cementing technique comprised hand mixing and finger packing. Today’s modern technique benefits from vacuum mixing and the use of distal femoral plugs, femoral and acetabular pressurization, bone bed brushing and high-pressure pulse lavage. Each step of Modern Cementing Technique has been linked to an approximate 20% reduction in revisions for aseptic loosening.