Massive frozen allograft bone implantation for defect after bone tumor resection

Objective: To study the results of large segment allografts in treatment of bone tumor. Methods: From 1991 to 1999 a retrospective analysis of 54 consecutive cases of large segment allograft implantation after resection of bone tumors was conducted. The allogeneic bone healing were observed. Fifty-four cases had an average age of 42.5 years (ranging 18-71 years). Inter-segmental allograft was performed in 2 cases, osteoarticular allograft in 52 cases, allograft+prosthesis in 4 cases. The mean length of allograft was 15.5 cm (ranging 12-25 cm). The types of fixation included common intramedullary nailing in 16 cases, inter-locking intramedullary nailing in 18 cases, plate in 2 cases, screwn 15 cases. Results: Follow-up ranged from 6 months to 9 years (average, 4.5 years) in 54 cases. Fifty-three cases had union and 1 non-union. The major complications were recurrence in 4 cases, infection in 4, fracture in 2, absorption and collapse of articular surface in 3 cases. The function were evaluated by Mankin system: eighteen cases had excellent results, 21 cases had good, 8 cases fair, the satisfactory rate was 87%. Conclusion: The allograft bones implantation is a desirable graft material for repair of bone defect following resection of bone tumor. Satisfactory results can be obtained with controled indication.