[Bone allografts in orthopedic surgery: current concepts]

Abstract

In the last decade, indications for bone allografting in orthopedic surgery have progressively increased, related to, on the one part, treatment of benign or malignant tumors, but, on another (major) part, to treatment of major bone defects due to loosening of hip or knee total prostheses. In France, legislation and control concerning donated human tissues, safety precautions, and the uses for human tissues have been greatly modified over the last few years. The authors describe the various obligations implicated by these activities and the consequences for tissue banks and surgeons; They describe different processes for bone inactivation and their action on allograft mechanical properties, or the biological capability for integration to the host bone. The authors then discuss different current techniques for bone stock reconstruction and the results in prosthetic or tumoral surgery, as well as their consequences on current surgical indications. In conclusion, they emphasize the optimal conditions for the success of allografts in orthopedic use: stability of the host bone-graft junction, vitality of the bone support, and a favourable mode of constraint of the graft, which have to be protected by osteosynthesis, but should not, however, miss partial bearing.