METHODS: To evaluate the penetration depth of cement into trabecular femoral bone, femora of 14 sheep were subjected to simultaneous bilateral cementing. After femoral neck osteotomy, preparation of the bone cavities and jet lavage, cement was applied simultaneously using the conventional retrograde method for one side and vacuum application for the contralateral limb. Bilateral simultaneous pressurisation was then applied. All femoral specimens were X-rayed, sawed into standardised, horizontal, stereometric, identical slices and microradiographed. Cement penetration was assessed using a morphometric software system. RESULTS: No significant differences in depth of cement penetration between sheep femora cemented with the vacuum application method and the standard retrograde method could be found or between the ratio of cement-consolidated and non-cement-consolidated cancellous bone. CONCLUSION: The more complicated and technically challenging method of cement application under vacuum had no advantage in terms of cement interdigitation over the standard retrograde method.
METHODS: To evaluate the penetration depth of cement into trabecular femoral bone, femora of 14 sheep were subjected to simultaneous bilateral cementing. After femoral neck osteotomy, preparation of the bone cavities and jet lavage, cement was applied simultaneously using the conventional retrograde method for one side and vacuum application for the contralateral limb. Bilateral simultaneous pressurisation was then applied. All femoral specimens were X-rayed, sawed into standardised, horizontal, stereometric, identical slices and microradiographed. Cement penetration was assessed using a morphometric software system. RESULTS: No significant differences in depth of cement penetration between sheep femora cemented with the vacuum application method and the standard retrograde method could be found or between the ratio of cement-consolidated and non-cement-consolidated cancellous bone. CONCLUSION: The more complicated and technically challenging method of cement application under vacuum had no advantage in terms of cement interdigitation over the standard retrograde method.