Improvement of the cement mantle of the acetabular component with bone cement spacers. A retrospective analysis of 200 cemented cups.

A discontinuous or thin cement mantle of a socket is associated with increased polyethylene wear and cement fractures. In a retrospective radiological analysis we examined the quality of the cement mantle in cups without (group I = 100 Charnley-Mueller cups) and with (group II = 100 Contemporary cups, Howmedica) bone cement spacers. Under-filling (0-2 mm) and over-filling (> 8 mm) of the cement mantle were noted and classified. Statistics show significantly less under-filling of the cement mantle in group II than in group I (P = 0.001), in particular when comparing separate cup regions (thirds: P << 0.001). Furthermore, there is no significant difference in the frequency of overfilling with cement between groups I and II (P = 0.108). To sum up, utilization of an acetabular component with performed bone cement spacers considerably improves the quality of the cement mantle without additional cost.