The effect of steam autoclave sterilization on methyl methacrylate cranial implant materials

The use of methyl methacrylates for cranial repairs has been well established. Procedures for sterilization of these materials include soaking in benzalkonium chloride, use of ethylene oxide gas, or cobalt 60 irradiation. Although ethylene oxide sterilization is the most common method, gas sterilization and degassing of these prefabricated implants may require almost as much time as fabrication. This study evaluated impact strength and linear dimensional change following steam autoclave sterilization of heat-processed methyl methacrylate. It was compared to an autopolymerizing methyl methacrylate for impact strength. No statistical difference was found in impact strength between nonsterile heat-processed methyl methacrylate and autoclaved heat-processed methyl methacrylate; however, both were significantly stronger than the autopolymerizing material. A statistically significant linear dimensional change of 1.211% between the autoclaved and nonsterile heat-processed methyl methacrylate was found, but was not considered clinically significant.