Cement penetration with pulsed lavage versus syringe irrigation in total knee arthroplasty

Twelve total knee arthroplasties were performed on 12 patients who had osteoarthritis. The freshly resected tibial plateaus and femoral condyles were divided in 2, and each half was subjected to different methods of preparation. One half of the specimen was irrigated with saline with a standard bulb syringe, while the other half was irrigated with pulsed lavage. Cement then was pressurized into the cut surfaces. Sections were analyzed using the Image Analysis Software Morphometry System. A significant increase in cement penetration and decrease in bone debris were found in pulsed lavage specimens as compared with controls (p < 0.05). The penetration of cement in total knee components can be significantly increased by using pulsed lavage of the cancellous surfaces.