Centres Científics i Tecnològics UB

News

20.09.2018

Publication of the article “Cross-linked polyethylene does not reduce wear in total knee arthroplasty”

Mrs. Eva Prats, technician of the Scanning Electron Microscopy technology of the CCiTUB, and Mr. Paco Menéndez, technician of Metal Analysis technology have participated in the article: “Cross-linked polyethylene does not reduce wear in total knee arthroplasty” which has been published in the Spanish Journal of Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology (Volume 62, Issue 3, May-June 2018, Pages 197-203). This work is the result of the collaboration with the team of Dr. F.Maculé of the Knee Unit of the Orthopedic Surgery (Traumatology Department of the Hospital Clínic of the University of Barcelona).

The samples preparation has been made in the Elemental Analysis Lab, and for the observations have been used different scanning electron microscopes of the CCiTUB as well as the detectors of microanalysis by separation of energies of X-rays (EDS) coupled to this microscopes.

The summary of the article is:

"Aim: To compare two different types of inserts: Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) and cross-linked polyethylene with a quantitative and qualitative study of polyethylene wear particles in synovial fluid 3 years after total knee arthroplasty.

Material and methods: A prospective, randomized, controlled cohort study with blinded evaluation was carried out on 25 patients undergoing staged bilateral total knee replacement, 6 months apart. Knee arthrocentesis was performed on 12 patients 3 years after surgery, and the polyethylene particles were analyzed.

Results: No significant differences were found in the number of particles generated by the two different types of inserts at 3 years from total knee arthroplasty (3,000×: cross-linked = 849.7; UHMWPE = 796.9; P = .63; 20,000×: cross-linked = 66.3; UHMWPE = 73.1; P = .76). Likewise, no differences in the probability of finding elongated (χ2 = 0.19; P = .66) or rounded (χ2 = 1.44; P = .23) particles in both types of inserts were observed. However, the probability of finding fibrillar particles is 3.08 times greater in UHMWPE.

Conclusions: Cross-linked polyethylene does not significantly reduce the generation of polyethylene particles in patients with total knee arthroplasty, 3 years after the surgical procedure."


More information about the article in question is available at the following link:[+].