The femoral stent. Surgical technique for a new method of cementing the femoral component in the presence of a large cortical defect.

Modern cement technique consists of the use of porosity reduction of the cement, a femoral medullary canal plug, injection of the cement using a cement gun, centralization of the stem, and pressurization of the cement. The use of cement in femoral revision is increasing rapidly; however, when there is a major cortical defect, forming and pressurizing the cement column might appear impossible. We describe a surgical technique for sealing such defects with a custom-made, intraoperatively fashioned femoral stent that allows for temporary restoration of the cortical tube of the femur, and therefore full pressurization of the cement.