Irrigation and suction technique to ensure reliable cement penetration for total knee arthroplasty.

We describe a new technique to enhance the preparation of the cancellous bone surfaces in total knee arthroplasty using bone suction and pressure lavage irrigation. This technique provides dry bone surfaces on which to cement (which is particularly valuable if a tourniquet is not used) and improves significantly the penetration of cement into the tibial plateau as assessed on plain postoperative radiographs. We review the results of this new technique by analyzing depths of cement penetration on postoperative radiographs to assess whether this technique offers improvements in cement penetration and bone surface preparation. This technique offers a simple, quick, and reliable method of ensuring reliable cement penetration into the bony trabeculae during cemented total knee arthroplasty.