Inaccuracy of acetabular reaming under surgical conditions

Press-fit uncemented acetabular components require accurate implant-bone cavity fit. Ten cavities produced during actual hip arthroplasty using debris-retaining reamers were replicated in dental alginate. An experimental reamer with better cutting prepared 12 acetabulae in mortuo under similar conditions. Positives in dental stone were measured on a coordinate measuring center. Spheres of best-fit and variation of each point from these spheres were calculated. Control cavities in polyurethane foam were measured to estimate casting errors. Diametral errors of conventionally reamed cavities averaged 2.1%, whereas experimental reamers' cavities varied by 0.5% (P < .005). Overall surface variation from hemispheric form in conventionally reamed cavities exceeded the experimental reamer's results (P < .005). Conventional acetabular reamers cut bone inaccurately. Reamers designed for improved bone cutting reduce cavity errors.