In our experience patients undergoing circumcision are mostly concerned about pain and penile appearances. We conducted a prospective randomized trial to assess the benefits of a new disposable circumcision suture dev...In our experience patients undergoing circumcision are mostly concerned about pain and penile appearances. We conducted a prospective randomized trial to assess the benefits of a new disposable circumcision suture device (DCSD). A total of 942 patients were equally divided into three groups (conventional circumcision, Shang ring and disposable suture device group). Patients in the DCSD group were anesthetized with compound 5% lidocaine cream, the others with a 2% lidocaine penile block. Operation time, intra-operative blood loss, incision healing time, intra-operative and post-operative pain, the penile appearance and overall satisfaction degree were measured. Operation time and intra-operative blood loss were significantly lower in the Shang ring and suture device groups compared to the conventional group (P 〈 0.001). Intra-operative pain was less in the suture device group compared With the other two groups (P 〈 0.001); whereas post-operative pain was higher in the conventional group compared to the other two groups (P 〈 0.001). Patients in the suture device (80.57%) and Shang ring (73,57%) groups were more satisfied with penile appearances compared with the conventional circumcision group (20.06%, P 〈 0.05). Patients in suture device group also healed markedly faster than the conventional group (P 〈 0.01). The overall satisfaction rate was better in the suture device group (78.66%) compared with the conventional (47.13%) and Shang ring (50.00%) groups (P 〈 0.05). The combination of DCSD and lidocaine cream resulted in shorter operation and incision healing times, reduced intra-operative and post-operative pain and improved patient satisfaction with the cosmetic appearances.展开更多
Purpose: Posttraumatic arthritis (PTA) may develop years after acetabular fracture, hindering joint function and causing significant chronic musculoskeletal pain. Given the delayed onset of PTA, few studies have as...Purpose: Posttraumatic arthritis (PTA) may develop years after acetabular fracture, hindering joint function and causing significant chronic musculoskeletal pain. Given the delayed onset of PTA, few studies have assessed outcomes of delayed total hip arthroplasty (THA) in acetabular fracture patients. This study systematically reviewed the literature for outcomes of THA in patients with PTA and prior acetabular fracture. Methods: Pubmed, EMBASE, SCOPUS, and Cochrane library were searched for articles containing the keywords "acetabular", "fracture", "arthroplasty", and "post traumatic arthritis" published between 1995 and August 2017. Studies with less than 10 patients, less than 2 years of follow-up, conference abstracts, and non-English language articles were excluded. Data on patient demographics, surgical characteristics, and outcomes of delayed THA, including implant survival, complications, need for revision, and functional scores, was collected from eligible studies. Results: With 1830 studies were screened and data from 10 studies with 448 patients were included in this review, The median patient age on date of THA was 51.5 years, ranging from 19 to 90 years. The median time from fracture to THA was 37 months, with a range of 27-74 months. Mean follow-up times ranged from 4 to 20 years, The mean Harris hip scores (HHS) improved from 41.5 pre-operatively, to 87.6 post-operatively, The most prevalent postoperative complications were heterotopic ossification (28% -63%), implant loosening (1%-24%), and infection (0%-16%). The minimum 5-year survival of implants ranged from 70% to 100%. Revision rates ranged from 2% to 32%. Conclusion: Despite the difficulties associated with performing THA in patients with PTA from previous acetabular fracture (including soft tissue scarring, existing hardware, and acetabular bone loss) and the relatively high complication rates, THA in patients with VIA following prior acetabular fracture leads to significant improvement in展开更多
Background:Nalbuphine has been suggested to be used for post-cesarean section(CS)intravenous analgesia.However,ideal concentration of nalbuphine for such analgesia remains unclear.The present study was conducted to ex...Background:Nalbuphine has been suggested to be used for post-cesarean section(CS)intravenous analgesia.However,ideal concentration of nalbuphine for such analgesia remains unclear.The present study was conducted to explore an ideal concentration of nalbuphine for post-CS intravenous analgesia by evaluating the analgesic effects and side-effects of three different concentrations of nalbuphine combined with hydromorphone for post-CS intravenous analgesia in healthy parturients.Methods:One-hundred-and-fourteen parturients undergoing elective CS were randomly allocated to one of three groups(38 subjects per group)according to an Excel-generated random number sheet to receive hydromorphone 0.05 mg/mL+nalbuphine 0.5 mg/mL(group LN),hydromorphone 0.05 mg/mL+nalbuphine 0.7 mg/mL(group MN),and hydromorphone 0.05 mg/mL+nalbuphine 0.9 mg/mL(group HN)using patient-controlled analgesia(PCA)pump.Visual analog scale(VAS)for pain,PCA bolus demands,cumulative PCA dose,satisfaction score,Ramsay score,and side-effects such as urinary retention were recorded.Results:The number of PCA bolus demands and cumulative PCA dose during the first 48 h after CS were significantly higher in group LN(21±16 bolus,129±25 mL)than those in group MN(15±10 bolus,120±16 mL)(both P<0.05)and group HN(13±9 bolus,117±13 mL)(both P<0.01),but no difference was found between group HN and group MN(both P>0.05).VAS scores were significantly lower in group HN than those in group MN and group LN for uterine cramping pain at rest and after breast-feeding within 12 h after CS(all P<0.01)and VAS scores were significantly higher in group LN than those in groupMNand group HN when oxytocin was intravenously infused within 3 days after CS(all P<0.05),whereas VAS scores were not statistically different among groups for incisional pain(all P>0.05).Ramsay sedation scale score in groupHNwas significantly higher than that in group MN at 8 and 12 h after CS(all P<0.01)and group LN at 4,8,12,24 h after CS(all P<0.05).Conclusions:Hydromorphone 0.05 mg/mL+nalbuphine 0.7 m展开更多
Advances in pre-transplant treatment of cirrhosis-related organ dysfunction,intraoperative patient management,and improvements in the treatment of rejection and infections have made human liver transplantation an effe...Advances in pre-transplant treatment of cirrhosis-related organ dysfunction,intraoperative patient management,and improvements in the treatment of rejection and infections have made human liver transplantation an effective and valuable option for patients with end stage liver disease.However,many important factors,related both to an increasing "marginality" of the implanted graft and unexpected perioperative complications still make immediate post-operative care challenging and the early outcome unpredictable.In recent years sicker patients with multiple comorbidities and organ dysfunction have been undergoing Liver transplantation;appropriate critical care management is required to support prompt graft recovery and prevent systemic complications.Early post-operative management is highly demanding as significant changes may occur in both the allograft and the "distant" organs.A functioning transplanted liver is almost always associated with organ system recovery,resulting in a new life for the patient.However,in the unfortunate event of graft dysfunction,the unavoidable development of multi-organ failure will require an enhanced level of critical care support and a prolonged ICU stay.Strict monitoring and sustainment of cardiorespiratory function,frequent assessment of graft performance,timely recognition of unexpected complications and the institution of prophylactic measures to prevent extrahepatic organ system dysfunction are mandatoryin the immediate post-operative period.A reduced rate of complications and satisfactory outcomes have been obtained from multidisciplinary,collaborative efforts,skillful vigilance,and a thorough knowledge of pathophysiologic characteristics of the transplanted liver.展开更多
Although in Crohn's disease post-operative recurrence is common, the determinants of disease recurrence remain speculative. The aim of this study was to examine factors affecting post-operative recurrence of Crohn...Although in Crohn's disease post-operative recurrence is common, the determinants of disease recurrence remain speculative. The aim of this study was to examine factors affecting post-operative recurrence of Crohn's disease. A Medline-based literature review was carried out. The following factors were investigated: age at onset of disease, sex, family history of Crohn's disease,smoking, duration of Crohn's disease before surgery,prophylactic medical treatment (corticosteroids, 5-amino salicylic acid [5-ASA] and immunosuppressants),anatomical site of involvement, indication for surgery (perforating or non-perforating disease), length of resected bowel, anast-omotic technique, presence of granuloma in the specimen, involvement of disease at the resection margin, blood transfusions and postoperative complications. Smoking significantly increases the risk of recurrence (risk is approximately twice as high), especially in women and heavy smokers. Quitting smoking reduces the post-operative recurrence rate. A number of studies have shown a higher risk when the duration of the disease before surgery was short. There were, however, different definitions of 'short' among the studies. Prophylactic cortic-osteroids therapy is not effective in reducing the post-operative recurrence. A number of randomized controlled trials offered evidence of the efficacy of 5-ASA (mesalazine) in reducing post-operative recurrence. Recently, the thera-peutic efficacy of immunosuppressive drugs (azathioprine and 6-mercaptopurine) in the prevention of post-operative recurrence has been investigated and several studies have reported that these drugs might help prevent the recurrence. Further clinical trials would be necessary to evaluate the prophylactic efficacy of immunosuppressants.Several studies showed a higher recurrence rate in patients with perforating disease than in those with non-perforating disease. However, evidence for differing recurrence rates in perforating and non-perforating diseases is inconclusive.A number of retrospective 展开更多
AIM: To determine patient and process of care factors associated with performance of timely laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis. METHODS: A retrospective medical record review of 88 consecutive patien...AIM: To determine patient and process of care factors associated with performance of timely laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis. METHODS: A retrospective medical record review of 88 consecutive patients with acute cholecystitis was conducted. Data collected included demographic data, co-morbidities, symptoms and physical findings at presentation, laboratory and radiological investigations, length of stay, complications, and admission service (medical or surgical). Patients not undergoing cholecystectomy during this hospitalization were excluded from analysis. Hierarchical generalized linear models were constructed to assess the association of pre-operative diagnostic procedures, presenting signs, and admitting service with time to surgery.RESULTS: Seventy cases met inclusion and exclusion criteria, among which 12 were admitted to the medical service and 58 to the surgical service. Mean ± SD time to surgery was 39.3 ± 43 h, with 87% of operations performed within 72 h of hospital arrival. In the adjusted models, longer time to surgery was associated with number of diagnostic studies and endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP, P = 0.01) as well with admission to medical service without adjustment for ERCP (P < 0.05). Patients undergoing both magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) and computed tomography (CT) scans experienced the longest waits for surgery. Patients admitted to the surgical versus medical service underwent surgery earlier (30.4 ± 34.9 vs 82.7 ± 55.1 h, P < 0.01), had less post-operative complications (12% vs 58%, P < 0.01), and shorter length of stay (4.3 ± 3.4 vs 8.1 ± 5.2 d, P < 0.01).CONCLUSION: Admission to the medical service and performance of numerous diagnostic procedures, ERCP, or MRCP combined with CT scan were associated with longer time to surgery. Expeditious performance of ERCP and MRCP and admission of medically stable patients with suspected cholecystitis to the surgical service to speed up time to surgery should be considered.展开更多
AIM To characterize incidence and risk factors for delayed gastric emptying(DGE) following pancreaticoduodenectomy and examine its implications on healthcare utilization. METHODS A prospectively-maintained database wa...AIM To characterize incidence and risk factors for delayed gastric emptying(DGE) following pancreaticoduodenectomy and examine its implications on healthcare utilization. METHODS A prospectively-maintained database was reviewed. DGE was classified using International Study Group of Pancreatic Surgery criteria. Patients who developed DGE and those who did not were compared. RESULTS Two hundred and seventy-six patients underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy(PD)(> 80% pyloruspreserving, antecolic-reconstruction). DGE developed in 49 patients(17.8%): 5.1% grade B, 3.6% grade C. Demographic, clinical, and operative variables were similar between patients with DGE and those without. DGE patients were more likely to present multiplecomplications(32.6% vs 4.4%, ≥ 3 complications, P < 0.001), including postoperative pancreatic fistula(POPF)(42.9% vs 18.9%, P = 0.001) and intra-abdominal abscess(IAA)(16.3% vs 4.0%, P = 0.012). Patients with DGE had longer hospital stay(median, 12 d vs 7 d, P < 0.001) and were more likely to require transitional care upon discharge(24.5% vs 6.6%, P < 0.001). On multivariate analysis, predictors for DGE included POPF [OR = 3.39(1.35-8.52), P = 0.009] and IAA [OR = 1.51(1.03-2.22), P = 0.035].CONCLUSION Although DGE occurred in < 20% of patients after PD, it was associated with increased healthcare utilization. Patients with POPF and IAA were at risk for DGE. Anticipating DGE can help individualize care and allocate resources to high-risk patients.展开更多
Polymethylmethacrylate(PMMA) bone cement technology has progressed from industrial Plexiglass administration in the 1950 s to the recent advent of nanoparticle additives. Additives have been trialed to address problem...Polymethylmethacrylate(PMMA) bone cement technology has progressed from industrial Plexiglass administration in the 1950 s to the recent advent of nanoparticle additives. Additives have been trialed to address problems with modern bone cements such as the loosening of prosthesis, high post-operative infection rates, and inflammatory reduction in interface integrity. This review aims to assess current additives used in PMMA bone cements and offer an insight regarding future directions for this biomaterial. Low index(< 15%) vitamin E and low index(< 5 g) antibiotic impregnated additives significantly address infection and inflammatory problems, with only modest reductions in mechanical strength. Chitosan(15% w/w PMMA) and silver(1% w/w PMMA) nanoparticles have strong antibacterial activity with no significant reduction in mechanical strength. Future work on PMMA bone cements should focus on trialing combinations of these additives as this may enhance favourable properties.展开更多
文摘In our experience patients undergoing circumcision are mostly concerned about pain and penile appearances. We conducted a prospective randomized trial to assess the benefits of a new disposable circumcision suture device (DCSD). A total of 942 patients were equally divided into three groups (conventional circumcision, Shang ring and disposable suture device group). Patients in the DCSD group were anesthetized with compound 5% lidocaine cream, the others with a 2% lidocaine penile block. Operation time, intra-operative blood loss, incision healing time, intra-operative and post-operative pain, the penile appearance and overall satisfaction degree were measured. Operation time and intra-operative blood loss were significantly lower in the Shang ring and suture device groups compared to the conventional group (P 〈 0.001). Intra-operative pain was less in the suture device group compared With the other two groups (P 〈 0.001); whereas post-operative pain was higher in the conventional group compared to the other two groups (P 〈 0.001). Patients in the suture device (80.57%) and Shang ring (73,57%) groups were more satisfied with penile appearances compared with the conventional circumcision group (20.06%, P 〈 0.05). Patients in suture device group also healed markedly faster than the conventional group (P 〈 0.01). The overall satisfaction rate was better in the suture device group (78.66%) compared with the conventional (47.13%) and Shang ring (50.00%) groups (P 〈 0.05). The combination of DCSD and lidocaine cream resulted in shorter operation and incision healing times, reduced intra-operative and post-operative pain and improved patient satisfaction with the cosmetic appearances.
文摘Purpose: Posttraumatic arthritis (PTA) may develop years after acetabular fracture, hindering joint function and causing significant chronic musculoskeletal pain. Given the delayed onset of PTA, few studies have assessed outcomes of delayed total hip arthroplasty (THA) in acetabular fracture patients. This study systematically reviewed the literature for outcomes of THA in patients with PTA and prior acetabular fracture. Methods: Pubmed, EMBASE, SCOPUS, and Cochrane library were searched for articles containing the keywords "acetabular", "fracture", "arthroplasty", and "post traumatic arthritis" published between 1995 and August 2017. Studies with less than 10 patients, less than 2 years of follow-up, conference abstracts, and non-English language articles were excluded. Data on patient demographics, surgical characteristics, and outcomes of delayed THA, including implant survival, complications, need for revision, and functional scores, was collected from eligible studies. Results: With 1830 studies were screened and data from 10 studies with 448 patients were included in this review, The median patient age on date of THA was 51.5 years, ranging from 19 to 90 years. The median time from fracture to THA was 37 months, with a range of 27-74 months. Mean follow-up times ranged from 4 to 20 years, The mean Harris hip scores (HHS) improved from 41.5 pre-operatively, to 87.6 post-operatively, The most prevalent postoperative complications were heterotopic ossification (28% -63%), implant loosening (1%-24%), and infection (0%-16%). The minimum 5-year survival of implants ranged from 70% to 100%. Revision rates ranged from 2% to 32%. Conclusion: Despite the difficulties associated with performing THA in patients with PTA from previous acetabular fracture (including soft tissue scarring, existing hardware, and acetabular bone loss) and the relatively high complication rates, THA in patients with VIA following prior acetabular fracture leads to significant improvement in
基金supported by the grant from National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.81471126).
文摘Background:Nalbuphine has been suggested to be used for post-cesarean section(CS)intravenous analgesia.However,ideal concentration of nalbuphine for such analgesia remains unclear.The present study was conducted to explore an ideal concentration of nalbuphine for post-CS intravenous analgesia by evaluating the analgesic effects and side-effects of three different concentrations of nalbuphine combined with hydromorphone for post-CS intravenous analgesia in healthy parturients.Methods:One-hundred-and-fourteen parturients undergoing elective CS were randomly allocated to one of three groups(38 subjects per group)according to an Excel-generated random number sheet to receive hydromorphone 0.05 mg/mL+nalbuphine 0.5 mg/mL(group LN),hydromorphone 0.05 mg/mL+nalbuphine 0.7 mg/mL(group MN),and hydromorphone 0.05 mg/mL+nalbuphine 0.9 mg/mL(group HN)using patient-controlled analgesia(PCA)pump.Visual analog scale(VAS)for pain,PCA bolus demands,cumulative PCA dose,satisfaction score,Ramsay score,and side-effects such as urinary retention were recorded.Results:The number of PCA bolus demands and cumulative PCA dose during the first 48 h after CS were significantly higher in group LN(21±16 bolus,129±25 mL)than those in group MN(15±10 bolus,120±16 mL)(both P<0.05)and group HN(13±9 bolus,117±13 mL)(both P<0.01),but no difference was found between group HN and group MN(both P>0.05).VAS scores were significantly lower in group HN than those in group MN and group LN for uterine cramping pain at rest and after breast-feeding within 12 h after CS(all P<0.01)and VAS scores were significantly higher in group LN than those in groupMNand group HN when oxytocin was intravenously infused within 3 days after CS(all P<0.05),whereas VAS scores were not statistically different among groups for incisional pain(all P>0.05).Ramsay sedation scale score in groupHNwas significantly higher than that in group MN at 8 and 12 h after CS(all P<0.01)and group LN at 4,8,12,24 h after CS(all P<0.05).Conclusions:Hydromorphone 0.05 mg/mL+nalbuphine 0.7 m
文摘Advances in pre-transplant treatment of cirrhosis-related organ dysfunction,intraoperative patient management,and improvements in the treatment of rejection and infections have made human liver transplantation an effective and valuable option for patients with end stage liver disease.However,many important factors,related both to an increasing "marginality" of the implanted graft and unexpected perioperative complications still make immediate post-operative care challenging and the early outcome unpredictable.In recent years sicker patients with multiple comorbidities and organ dysfunction have been undergoing Liver transplantation;appropriate critical care management is required to support prompt graft recovery and prevent systemic complications.Early post-operative management is highly demanding as significant changes may occur in both the allograft and the "distant" organs.A functioning transplanted liver is almost always associated with organ system recovery,resulting in a new life for the patient.However,in the unfortunate event of graft dysfunction,the unavoidable development of multi-organ failure will require an enhanced level of critical care support and a prolonged ICU stay.Strict monitoring and sustainment of cardiorespiratory function,frequent assessment of graft performance,timely recognition of unexpected complications and the institution of prophylactic measures to prevent extrahepatic organ system dysfunction are mandatoryin the immediate post-operative period.A reduced rate of complications and satisfactory outcomes have been obtained from multidisciplinary,collaborative efforts,skillful vigilance,and a thorough knowledge of pathophysiologic characteristics of the transplanted liver.
文摘Although in Crohn's disease post-operative recurrence is common, the determinants of disease recurrence remain speculative. The aim of this study was to examine factors affecting post-operative recurrence of Crohn's disease. A Medline-based literature review was carried out. The following factors were investigated: age at onset of disease, sex, family history of Crohn's disease,smoking, duration of Crohn's disease before surgery,prophylactic medical treatment (corticosteroids, 5-amino salicylic acid [5-ASA] and immunosuppressants),anatomical site of involvement, indication for surgery (perforating or non-perforating disease), length of resected bowel, anast-omotic technique, presence of granuloma in the specimen, involvement of disease at the resection margin, blood transfusions and postoperative complications. Smoking significantly increases the risk of recurrence (risk is approximately twice as high), especially in women and heavy smokers. Quitting smoking reduces the post-operative recurrence rate. A number of studies have shown a higher risk when the duration of the disease before surgery was short. There were, however, different definitions of 'short' among the studies. Prophylactic cortic-osteroids therapy is not effective in reducing the post-operative recurrence. A number of randomized controlled trials offered evidence of the efficacy of 5-ASA (mesalazine) in reducing post-operative recurrence. Recently, the thera-peutic efficacy of immunosuppressive drugs (azathioprine and 6-mercaptopurine) in the prevention of post-operative recurrence has been investigated and several studies have reported that these drugs might help prevent the recurrence. Further clinical trials would be necessary to evaluate the prophylactic efficacy of immunosuppressants.Several studies showed a higher recurrence rate in patients with perforating disease than in those with non-perforating disease. However, evidence for differing recurrence rates in perforating and non-perforating diseases is inconclusive.A number of retrospective
文摘AIM: To determine patient and process of care factors associated with performance of timely laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis. METHODS: A retrospective medical record review of 88 consecutive patients with acute cholecystitis was conducted. Data collected included demographic data, co-morbidities, symptoms and physical findings at presentation, laboratory and radiological investigations, length of stay, complications, and admission service (medical or surgical). Patients not undergoing cholecystectomy during this hospitalization were excluded from analysis. Hierarchical generalized linear models were constructed to assess the association of pre-operative diagnostic procedures, presenting signs, and admitting service with time to surgery.RESULTS: Seventy cases met inclusion and exclusion criteria, among which 12 were admitted to the medical service and 58 to the surgical service. Mean ± SD time to surgery was 39.3 ± 43 h, with 87% of operations performed within 72 h of hospital arrival. In the adjusted models, longer time to surgery was associated with number of diagnostic studies and endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP, P = 0.01) as well with admission to medical service without adjustment for ERCP (P < 0.05). Patients undergoing both magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) and computed tomography (CT) scans experienced the longest waits for surgery. Patients admitted to the surgical versus medical service underwent surgery earlier (30.4 ± 34.9 vs 82.7 ± 55.1 h, P < 0.01), had less post-operative complications (12% vs 58%, P < 0.01), and shorter length of stay (4.3 ± 3.4 vs 8.1 ± 5.2 d, P < 0.01).CONCLUSION: Admission to the medical service and performance of numerous diagnostic procedures, ERCP, or MRCP combined with CT scan were associated with longer time to surgery. Expeditious performance of ERCP and MRCP and admission of medically stable patients with suspected cholecystitis to the surgical service to speed up time to surgery should be considered.
文摘AIM To characterize incidence and risk factors for delayed gastric emptying(DGE) following pancreaticoduodenectomy and examine its implications on healthcare utilization. METHODS A prospectively-maintained database was reviewed. DGE was classified using International Study Group of Pancreatic Surgery criteria. Patients who developed DGE and those who did not were compared. RESULTS Two hundred and seventy-six patients underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy(PD)(> 80% pyloruspreserving, antecolic-reconstruction). DGE developed in 49 patients(17.8%): 5.1% grade B, 3.6% grade C. Demographic, clinical, and operative variables were similar between patients with DGE and those without. DGE patients were more likely to present multiplecomplications(32.6% vs 4.4%, ≥ 3 complications, P < 0.001), including postoperative pancreatic fistula(POPF)(42.9% vs 18.9%, P = 0.001) and intra-abdominal abscess(IAA)(16.3% vs 4.0%, P = 0.012). Patients with DGE had longer hospital stay(median, 12 d vs 7 d, P < 0.001) and were more likely to require transitional care upon discharge(24.5% vs 6.6%, P < 0.001). On multivariate analysis, predictors for DGE included POPF [OR = 3.39(1.35-8.52), P = 0.009] and IAA [OR = 1.51(1.03-2.22), P = 0.035].CONCLUSION Although DGE occurred in < 20% of patients after PD, it was associated with increased healthcare utilization. Patients with POPF and IAA were at risk for DGE. Anticipating DGE can help individualize care and allocate resources to high-risk patients.
文摘Polymethylmethacrylate(PMMA) bone cement technology has progressed from industrial Plexiglass administration in the 1950 s to the recent advent of nanoparticle additives. Additives have been trialed to address problems with modern bone cements such as the loosening of prosthesis, high post-operative infection rates, and inflammatory reduction in interface integrity. This review aims to assess current additives used in PMMA bone cements and offer an insight regarding future directions for this biomaterial. Low index(< 15%) vitamin E and low index(< 5 g) antibiotic impregnated additives significantly address infection and inflammatory problems, with only modest reductions in mechanical strength. Chitosan(15% w/w PMMA) and silver(1% w/w PMMA) nanoparticles have strong antibacterial activity with no significant reduction in mechanical strength. Future work on PMMA bone cements should focus on trialing combinations of these additives as this may enhance favourable properties.