The effects of pulsed fluid irrigation on bony ingrowth in porous polyethylene implants

Twelve adult dogs were used to evaluate the effect of pulsed isotonic saline irrigation on bony ingrowth. The distal supracondylar ridge of the knee was transected. Six dogs had the area irrigated with a pulsed lavage system for 15 sec and six dogs did not. A porous piece of polyethylene was then stapled to the cancellous surface. Three of each were evaluated histologically at 3 weeks and 6 weeks. The pulsed irrigation significantly decreased the depth of bone penetration into the sections of polyethylene.