Tibial cleaning method for cemented total knee arthroplasty: An experimental study

Pulsed lavage is associated with better quality of bone-cement-implant interface in knee arthroplasties (TKA/UKA) compared to syringe lavage in vitro; however, clinical data are missing: A systematic review

Purpose

The purpose of this systematic review is to analyse the available literature to ascertain the optimal method of bone preparation to improve the quality of bone-cement-implant interface with either pulsed lavage or syringe lavage in both total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA).

Methods

A comprehensive search was conducted across MEDLINE, Scopus and Embase databases until July 2023. Both inclusion and exclusion criteria were clearly stated and used to identify all the published studies. Subsequent screening throughout the title, abstract and full text was made, followed by complete critical appraisal and data extraction. This sequential process was performed by two reviewers independently and summarised following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines). A quality assessment of the systematic review was performed according to the Quality Appraisal for Cadaveric Studies scale (QUACS), reaching a quality level ranging from 69% to 85%.

Results

A total of 10 articles, out of 47, nine biomechanical cadaveric studies and one human clinical study were analysed. A total of 196 UKA tibial components, 74 patellar components, 36 TKA tibial components and 24 UKA femoral components were retrieved, and a high level of heterogeneity resulted overall. The pulsed lavage group showed better cement penetration and higher pull-out force than the syringe lavage group; a higher interface temperature was also found in the pulsed lavage group. No differences were found regarding tension ligament forces between the groups.

Conclusion

Our systematic review suggests that pulsed lavage is superior to syringe lavage in terms of the quality of bone-cement-implant interface in knee arthroplasties (TKA/UKA). However, translation of these results from cadaveric studies to individual clinical settings may be hazardous; therefore, clinical in vivo prospective studies are highly needed.

PROSPERO CRD

PROSPERO CRD number CRD42023432399.

Level of Evidence

Level III.

Technical Properties and Biological Safety of Reprocessing Technique for a Handpiece of Disposable Pulsatile Lavage Device: An Experimental Study

Introduction

Bony surface cleaning using a pulse lavage device (PLD) is essential for modern cementation of hip and knee arthroplasties. This costly single-use device is a medical waste and unaffordable for some patients. Reprocessing is a worldwide standard strategy to solve this problem. To determine the technical properties and biological safety of a reprocessed PLD handpiece and compare its performance under different power supplies.

Materials and Methods

Eight brand-new disposable PLDs were tested for baseline technical properties (flow rate, pulse frequency, and peak pressure). Thereafter, they were reprocessed and retested for 10 rounds using two different power supplies. An adenosine triphosphate (ATP) swab test was performed on the PLD accessory parts after cleansing and disinfection. Passed-through isotonic sodium chloride solution ejected from the reprocessed PLD underwent aerobic bacterial culture. The unit costs of production were analysed.

Results

The mean flow rate of the disposable PLD (1.5±0.1 L/min) was less than that of reprocessed PLD using DC15V battery (2.5±0.3 L/min, p<0.001) and AC/DC15V3A adapter (6.1±0.4 L/min, p<0.001). The mean pulse frequency and peak pressure of the disposable PLD and reprocessed PLD using DC15V battery were not different (18.5±0.8 vs 18.8±2.5 Hz, p=0.155 and 0.37±0.04 vs 0.38±0.03 N/mm2, p=0.640, respectively), but were lower than those using AC/DC15V3A adapter (47.0±2.7 Hz, 0.45±0.03 N/mm2, p<0.001). All ATP swab tests, and aerobic fluid cultures yielded negative results. The total cost of reprocessing was 10% of disposable PLD.

Conclusion

A disposable PLD handpiece can be reprocessed without deteriorating its technical properties and used with either retrieved DC15V battery or AC/DC15V3A adapter for the power supply. As the biological safety of reprocessed and disposable PLDs was comparable, it may be clinically utilised with 90% cost reduction.

Reducing Carbon Footprint of Disposable Pulse Lavage Systems in Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty

Pulse lavage is recommended in all modern total joint arthroplasty operations in the UK. The common current pulse lavage is a disposable battery-operated system. AC and power tool powered models are commercially available in the UK. We performed a carbon emissions analysis of each model to evaluate the reduction in the carbon footprint of the arthroplasty operations at one trust and extrapolated the data to scale the possible economic and environmental benefits. Introducing a power tool driven pulse lavage system can reduce the carbon footprint of pulse lavage by 50% compared to the battery and AC-powered options. Additionally, we have reduced the economic impact of one trust by switching to a "greener" alternative pulse lavage system. In trusts where a power tool-driven pulse lavage is not possible, we advocate using AC-powered kits that are less wasteful than the more commonly used battery-powered options.

[The third-generation modern cementing technique in hip and knee arthroplasty]

BACKGROUND

Implant loosening is the most common reason for revision surgery.

OBJECTIVES

Contribution of modern cementing technique to the long-term stability of an implant.

METHODS

Evaluation of the available evidence on modern cementing technique.

RESULTS

Modern cementing technique in hip arthroplasty is considered established and leads to better cementing results. In knee arthroplasty, there are also specific recommendations, including intensive cleaning of the bone bed, mixing of bone cement under vacuum and application of bone cement to the implant and the bone.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of modern cementing technique in hip and knee arthroplasty facilitates cementing, increases safety, and minimizes the risk of mechanical loosening.

Pulsatile lavage systems and their potential to penetrate soft tissue

BACKGROUND

In orthopedic and trauma surgery, pulsatile lavage systems are used to clean soft tissue. This may be necessary in septic surgeries or in case of contaminated wounds after trauma. Positive features such as reduction of bacterial contamination and removal of foreign particles are counterbalanced by negative aspects such as bacterial seeding in deeper tissue layers, damage to various tissues and even cases of air embolism.

PURPOSE

The aim of this prospective experimental in vitro study was to compare impact pressure and flow rate in three different pulsatile lavage systems and to determine, whether these parameters alter their ability to reach deeper soft tissue layers.

METHODS

To test the penetration of soft tissue, the muscle tissue was flushed with contrast medium instead of saline fluid and afterwards scanned by computed tomography.

RESULTS

Impact pressure and flow rate showed significant differences between the different systems. There were no significant differences between the three devices in terms of total penetration volume, but there were significant differences in penetration depth.

CONCLUSION

In this study, we found that higher impact pressure leads to deeper penetration and therefore bacteria are likely to be transferred to deeper tissue layers.

Pulsatile Lavage Systems with High Impact Pressure and High Flow Produce Cleaner Cancellous Bone Prior to Cementation in Cemented Arthroplasty

In cemented joint arthroplasty, state-of-the-art cementing techniques include high-pressure pulsatile saline lavage prior to cementation. Even with its outstanding importance in cementation, there are surprisingly few studies regarding the physical parameters that define pulsatile lavage systems. To investigate the parameters of impact pressure, flow rate, frequency and the cleaning effect in cancellous bone, we established a standardized laboratory model. Standardized fat-filled carbon foam specimens representing human cancellous bone were cleaned with three different high-pressure pulsatile lavage systems. Via CT scans before and after cleaning, the cleaning effect was evaluated. All systems showed a cleaning depth of at least 3.0 mm and therefore can be generally recommended to clean cancellous bone in cemented joint arthroplasty. When comparing the three lavage systems, the study showed significant differences regarding cleaning depths and volume, with one system being superior to its peer systems. Regarding the physical parameters, high impact pressure in combination with high flow rate and longer distance to the flushed object seems to be the best combination to improve the cleaning of cancellous bone and therefore increase the chances of a deeper cement penetration that is required in cemented joint arthroplasty. In summary, this study provides the first standardized comparison of different lavage systems and thus gives initial guidance on how to optimally prepare cancellous bone for cemented joint arthroplasty.

Does Additive Pressurized Carbon Dioxide Lavage Improve Cement Penetration and Bond Strength in Cemented Arthroplasty?

The modern cementing technique in cemented arthroplasty is a highly standardized and, therefore, safe procedure. Nevertheless, aseptic loosening is still the main reason for revision after cemented total knee or cemented total hip arthroplasty. To investigate whether an additional carbon dioxide lavage after a high-pressure pulsatile saline lavage has a positive effect on the bone-cement interface or cement penetration, we set up a standardized laboratory experiment with 28 human femoral heads. After a standardized cleaning procedure, the test implants were cemented onto the cancellous bone. Subsequently, the maximum failure load of the bone-cement interface was determined using a material testing machine to pull off the implant, and the cement penetration was determined using computed tomography. Neither the maximum failure load nor cement penetration into the cancellous bone revealed significant differences between the groups. In conclusion, according to our experiments, the additive use of the carbon dioxide lavage after the high-pressure pulsatile lavage has no additional benefit for the cleaning of the cancellous bone and, therefore, cannot be recommended without restrictions.

Cementing technique for primary knee arthroplasty: a scoping review

Background and purpose - The optimal cementing technique for primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) remains unclear. We therefore performed a scoping review based on available studies regarding cementation technique in primary TKA and unicondylar knee arthroplasty (UKA).Patients and methods - A search in 3 databases identified 1,554 studies. The inclusion criteria were literature that studied cementing technique in primary TKA or UKA. This included cement application methods, full or surface cementing, applying cement to the bone and/or prosthesis, stabilization of the implant during curing phase, bone irrigation technique, drilling holes in the bone, use of suction, and the timing of cementation. 57 studies met the inclusion criteria.Results - The evidence was unanimously in favor of pulsatile lavage irrigation, drying the bone, and drilling holes into the tibia during a TKA. All studies concerning suction recommended it during TKA cementation. 7 out of 11 studies favored the use of a cement gun and no studies showed that finger packing was statistically significantly better than using a cement gun. There is evidence that full cementation should be used if metal-backed tibial components are used. Applying the cement to both implant and bone seems to give better cement penetration.Interpretation - There are still many knowledge gaps regarding cementing technique in primary TKA. There seems to be sufficient evidence to recommend pulsatile lavage irrigation of the bone, drilling multiple holes, and drying the bone before cementing and implant insertion, and applying cement to both implant and on the bone.

Ambient theatre temperature and cement setting time in total knee arthroplasty

BACKGROUND

Polymethylmethacrylate cement is used in total knee arthroplasty and plays a significant role in the success of the procedure. Temperature variation is known to influence cement setting time in vitro. Our aim is to evaluate the relationship between ambient theatre temperature and cement setting time in vivo.

METHODS

Theatre temperature and cement setting time were prospectively recorded during 683 total knee arthroplasties over 8 years using a single cement and vacuum mixing system (Simplex with tobramycin). Setting time was defined as the time until a scalpel blade could not indent the cement surface.

RESULTS

Mean temperature was 18.92°C (SD 1.16) and setting time 13.08 min (SD 1.92). A moderate inverse relationship exists between ambient temperature and setting time (Pearson's R = -0.423); however, potential setting times within a given temperature range varied considerably (<19°C: 8-19.1 min, 19-20°C: 7-18 min and >20°C: 7.5-16 min), suggesting that temperature alone cannot reliably predict setting time.

CONCLUSION

Our data support the current understanding of bone cement properties in vivo and suggest that surgeons should be mindful in regards to unpredictable cement setting time and optimal theatre environment.