Respiratory complications of bone cement insertion during total hip replacement under spinal anaesthesia

A report is made of respiratory complications which occurred following the insertion of Palacos bone cement during Howse total hip replacement under spinal anaesthesia in a 78-year-old female patient. Persistent cough and tachypnoea developed 30 s after the insertion of bone cement into the acetabulum and femur and persisted for 2-3 min producing considerable passive movement of the pelvis and femur. The probable cause, disadvantages and prevention of these complications are discussed.