A new bleeding model of the human acetabulum and a pilot comparison of 2 different cement pressurizers

Abstract

In this cadaver study, we compared 2 different acetabular cement pressurizers (Exeter and Bernoski type) in paired human acetabula with simulated intraosseous bleeding. Pressure transducers were used to record intra-acetabular pressures during pressurization. Anteroposterior radiographs of the entire specimens were taken. Subsequently, standardized 3-mm-thick sections were cut through the acetabula, which were then microradiographed to evaluate cement penetration. Adequate pressurization was obtained with either pressurizer. The peak and sustained pressures obtained with the Exeter pressurizer (peak, 80 kPa; sustained, 38 kPa) tended to be higher than the pressures obtained with the Bernoski pressurizer (73 kPa; 24 kPa; P > 0.05). Accordingly, a tendency toward improved cement penetration into cancellous bone was found using the Exeter pressurizer (P >.05).