LONG TERM SURVIVAL OF LARGE ALLOGRAFTS IN TUMOUR SURGERY

Abstract

The authors offer their personal experience with long term results on 71 patients (72 allografts) operated between 1961 and 1990. 23 were large osteoarticular grafts, 28 intercalary grafts and 20 fibular grafts. We used one composite hip endoprosthesis in 1988 after 16cm proximal femur resection due to Ewing sarcoma in a 10 year old girl. From the 23 osteoarticular grafts 14 (60%) are long term survivals including one after fracture salvage. Six had to be removed due to infection. From the 28 intercalary grafts 16 (57%) are surviving over 15 years. Infection occurred in 6 patients with chemotherapy. Two of them had intra-arterial CDDP and one additional radiation. All of the proximal humerus allograft had complete resorption of the proximal head within 3 years. The diaphyseal reconstructions with additional cancellous autografts incorporated within 3 years. The patient with the composite stem had two cup revisions, but the stem is doing well and we observed only a mild osteolysis at the proximal part of the graft between the 2nd and 5th year that remains stable. Fractures of the graft can be salvaged in most cases.

Infection leads to the removal of the graft in almost all cases. Factors influencing the survival, remodeling and complications of the grafts are discussed. The regime of cryopreservation, fixation and loading of the graft influence these factors together with the use of autologous bone chips around the allograft-host junction as well as the application of chemotherapy or radiation. Fracture of the graft can be salvaged in most cases in contrary to infection that remains the most severe complication that can occur at any time period. Even with the improvement of tumor endoprostheses the use of allografts remains an optional solution especially in young patients.