[Release and diffusion of methylmethacrylic monomers after the implantation of self curing bone cements. Study on laboratory specimens and animal experiments (author's transl)].

In this study the degree and the time interval of the release of toxic methylmethacrylic monomers in neighboring bone tissue has been investigated after implantation of self couring acrylic cements. It has been shown that the majority of unpolymerized monomers is diminuated by a biologically uneffective later polymerization; thus only a minor part of methylmethacrylic monomers undergoes diffusion. The processes occur mainly during the first 24 hrs after implantation and are below the laboratory detection after 2 weeks. Cement additives such as X-ray contrast materials (BaSO4 or ZrO2) do not influence these reactions. Among the cements investigated herein (CMW-bone cement, Surgical simplex, Palacos) pronounced differences in the release of residual monomers during the first week have clearly been demonstrated.