Bone-cement removal with the excimer laser in revision arthroplasty

The excimer laser was thought to be an appropriate tool for the removal of bone cement without damaging the bone. However, due to its low ablation rate, its clinical use in total hip revision arthroplasty proved to be impossible. This experimental study was designed to evaluate the maximal ablation...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Archives of orthopaedic and trauma surgery 1992-12, Vol.112 (1), p.15-17
Main Authors: ZIMMER, M, KLÖBL, R, DE TOMA, G, JANSSON, V, REFIOR, H. J, HEIMKES, B, KÜHNE, J.-H
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Arthroplasty
Biological and medical sciences
Bone Cements
Hip Prosthesis
Humans
Laser Therapy
Medical sciences
Orthopedic surgery
Reoperation
Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases
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Summary:The excimer laser was thought to be an appropriate tool for the removal of bone cement without damaging the bone. However, due to its low ablation rate, its clinical use in total hip revision arthroplasty proved to be impossible. This experimental study was designed to evaluate the maximal ablation rate by adjusting the laser's parameters. Energy density, frequency, pulse duration, radiation area, quantity of pulses, and environmental conditions were varied in the experimental setup. Even with the best set of parameters the excimer laser was about ten times slower than, e.g., the carbon dioxide laser. The removal of 10 g bone cement takes about 1 h. Thus, complete cement removal by means of the excimer laser alone is not possible. However, selective application of the excimer laser in combination with other techniques could be discussed.
ISSN:0936-8051
1434-3916
DOI:10.1007/BF00431037