title: Deep-frozen allogeneic cancellous bone grafts in 10 dogs: a case series.
abstract: Deep-frozen, aseptically collected and processed allogeneic cancellous bone was implanted in eight dogs during the surgical repair of diaphyseal long bone fractures and in two dogs during arthrodeses. A combined allogeneic and autogeneic cancellous bone graft was used in two fractures with a segmental bone loss of more than 5 cm. Bone union occurred in five fractures and in both arthrodeses. Failure of fixation occurred in two dogs with nonunion fractures and in a third dog with an open, infected fracture. Biopsies from the fracture sites were obtained from these dogs following failure of their fracture fixation. The cancellous bone graft appeared to be in the process of normal incorporation in each case. Failure of fixation was attributed to technical or case management errors or both, in each of the three fractures that failed to achieve bony union. Frozen allogeneic cancellous bone grafts were effectively incorporated when used in the primary repair of fractures and arthrodeses. Combined autogenous and allogeneic cancellous bone grafts may be particularly useful in the repair of fractures with large segmental diaphyseal bone defects. The use of allogeneic cancellous bone grafts in nonunion fractures requires further investigation before it can be recommended.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Clinical Science, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, USA.
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Kerwin
authors.forename: D D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Elkins
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Oliver
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pechman
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: McCarthy
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hosgood
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001174:Arthrodesis / Q000662:veterinary; D016025:Bone Transplantation / Q000662:veterinary*; D015925:Cryopreservation / Q000662:veterinary*; D018483:Diaphyses / Q000293:injuries; D004285:Dogs / Q000293:injuries*; D005260:Female; D017102:Fracture Healing / Q000502:physiology; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D016896:Treatment Outcome