The increase in intramedullary pressure during implantation of a cemented total hip prosthesis is the decisive pathogenic factor in the development of an embolism. The logical countermeasure aimed at preventing bone marrow and fat emboli is reduction of pressure. Drainage of the femoral canal enabled by the bone-vacuum cementing technique substantially reduces intraoperative fat embolism and cardiopulmonary events. The aim of the present study was to compare the efficiency of two suction pumps used with this technique. In-vitro and In-vivo measurements of pressure were obtained to characterize the properties of the Vakufix pump and the Sterivap pump. In vitro experiments showed that the length of the suction tube has no influence on the performance of the pumps. A useful vacuum in the medullary canal was achieved In-vivo with both pumps (mean-209.3 mbar). The vacuum obtained with the Vakufix pump was higher (+16%) than that obtained with the Sterivap pump. Owing to the complexity of the system, we would not recommend the use of the Sterivap pump for evacuating the femoral canal.

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