Thermal Manipulation of Bone Cement

abstract Many factors affect the rate of polymerization of poly methylmethaery late (PMMA) and, therefore, the working timé of bone cement. Surgeons may control some factors, but not all. A surgeon may change the température of the powder and the monomer, whereas the temperature and relative humidity of the operating room are more difficult to alter. The temperature of the mixing vessels msy also be controlled. However, a surgeon has no control over the industrial mixture of the components of the bone cement, which can vary considerably from batch to batch. This article reviews the effect of temperature of cement mixtures on the working time of the cement, the irtterfacial strength of the cement-metal interface as well as the cement-bone interface, and tissue viability and cellular change at the bone-cement interface.