[Studies on the diffusion of the remaining monomers from implantation plastics of polymethacylic acid methylester]

Positive clinical results were obtained using implanted cold polymerizates, and these were compared with the negative results of experiments made on animals. The observed local pathophysiological processes are considered to be due to the effects produced by the methacrylic methyl ester. The absolute content of residual monomers in the implants does not allow to make any definite conclusions as to the rate of diffusion into the organism. Therefore, the diffusion of residual monomers into an aqueous medium was titrimetrically measured for three weeks by the pyridine sulfate dibromide method. After a description of the method of titration and the results obtained, a discussion is given of the causes of the different rates of diffusion of residual monomers from Kallokryl K and Palacos samples, which are dependent upon the duration of polymerization in air.