Experimental study of intervertebral disc allografting in the dog.
METHODS
An investigation of the use of intervertebral disc allografting as a potential alternative to intervertebral fusion was performed. In 13 adult mongrel dogs, intervertebral disc units cryopreserved after slow freezing were grafted.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the morphologic and biosynthetic damage caused by cryopreserving the canine intervertebral disc before allografting.


BACKGROUND
Cryopreservation did not alter the normal histologic appearance. The metabolic activity, measured by 35S-sulfate incorporation, was observed to be 44% of the fresh control.


METHODS
Transplanted intervertebral discs were examined histologically and radiographically at 12, 24, and 48 weeks after surgery.


RESULTS
The allografted disc had preserved anular and nuclear architecture with moderate loss of chondrocytes 12 weeks after grafting. However, the intervertebral disc showed evidence of progressive disc degeneration 1 year after transplantation.


CONCLUSIONS
More investigation of storage methods is needed to enhance the viability of the intervertebral disc for successful intervertebral disc allografting.
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Shiga University of Medical Science, Shiga, Japan.
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A
Katsuura
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Hukuda
D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D001860:Bone Plates; D001863:Bone Screws; D015925:Cryopreservation; D004285:Dogs; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000637:transplantation*; D011859:Radiography; D013123:Spinal Fusion; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous