Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 28, 2026

Comprehensive Characterization of Tissue Mineralization in an Ex Vivo Model
Published on: September 27, 2024
The quality of applied bone cement depends on the chemical composition of the application system
D Proschek1, K Kafchitsas, A A Kurth
1Center for Musculoskeletal Surgery, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University Medical Center, Mainz, Germany. proschek @ arcor.de
Unlabelled:
The exothermal reaction of polymethylmethacrylate leads to an extensive interaction between bone cement and the synthetic material of the application system. This chemical reaction changes the structure of the cement and might generate air inclusions.
Methods And Materials:
Two application systems for bone cement made of polycarbonate (PC) and polypropylene (PP) were evaluated. The application systems were mounted in a testing unit. The testing device injects a defined amount of bone cement with a certain pressure. After the injection procedure a microscopic examination was carried out.
Results:
There were no differences in the size and the design of the used syringes. Forty procedures were carried out. The time frame for application of the cement was 5 min in the PC group and 9 min in the PP group. There was a remarkable interaction between the plastics and the cement with the appearance of numerous air inclusions in the PC group. Barely any interaction was found in the PP group.
Conclusion:
Application systems made of PP enable a prolonged application time and a reduced number of air inclusions. Further research, especially on a molecular level as well as material tests on the quality of the applied bone cement, should be carried out.
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