Intramedullary Plugs in Cemented Hip Arthroplasty

The use of intramedullary plugs in cemented total joint arthroplasty is currently considered standard practice by most surgeons. In this in vitro study, the authors evaluated the holding power, migration, and leakage of four commonly used plug types--bone, acrylic bone cement, and two polymeric plugs from different manufacturers. Only acrylic bone cement plugs prevented distal leakage of cement and did not migrate under the influences of pressurized cement injection.