[Intraoperative temperature measurements at the acrylic bone/cement interface in total hip endoprosthetic (TEP)...

Temperature measurements are reported effected by aid of thermocouples enclosed in tubules in TEP-implantations of the hip. Two techniques were employed: the first using as acrylic bone cement Palacos or Sulfix-6 without concomitant cooling, the second Palacos after precooling of the femur with crushed ice/water mixtures. The first method yielded, at the acrylic bone cement/bone interface, temperatures above the coagulation point of the protein (56 degrees C). The novel technique of implantation is described, i.e. the cooling of the bone with ice-water prior to the cement implantation. This technique provides a means of restricting the average temperature at the aforesaid interface to 45 degrees C.