Methylmethacrylate blood levels in patients with femoral neck fracture.

The blood levels of monomeric methylmethacrylate were measured in 20 patients with fracture of the femoral neck, treated with a Thompson prosthesis under spinal anesthesia. Monomeric methylmethacrylate was detected in the blood stream in all patients; the maximum levels (mean 6.44 micrograms/ml, range 0.05-31.89 micrograms/ml) were measured 30 s after insertion of the Thompson prosthesis. A moderate drop in systolic blood pressure and a marked reduction of arterial oxygen tension was noted after cementation and insertion of the prosthesis; the mean maximum drops were 10.1 mm Hg (range 0-32 mm Hg) and 6.1 mm Hg (range 0-13.5 mm Hg) No dose-dependent correlation could be established between the levels of monomeric methylmethacrylate and the drop in arterial blood pressure or arterial oxygen tension.