[Treatment of nonunion in childhood by allogeneic decalcified bone graft].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of allogeneic decalcified bone graft in the treatment of nonunion in children.


METHODS
From April 1990 to September 1997, 17 children with nonunion were adopted in this study. Among them, there were 10 boys and 7 girls, the age ranged from 2 to 13 years. The allogeneic decalcified bone graft taken from fresh corpse by aseptic manipulation were used to repair 3 cases of congenital nonunion and 14 cases of acquired nonunion.


RESULTS
All cases were followed up 2 to 9 years after operation, 9 cases were cured successfully and 7 cases were cured after twice operations. One case of congenital pseudoarthrosis of the tibia was operated twice and there were callus grown half years after the second operation, but reoccurred after one year. Although there were 1.5 cm to 3 cm shortening deformity of extremity including another 2 cases of congenital pseudoarthrosis of the tibia and 5 cases of nonunion caused by chronic osteomyelitis, the function of joint was normal.


CONCLUSIONS
Treatment of nonunion in children by allogeneic decalcified bone graft is a valuable technique in clinical practice. It is characterised by high capacity of osteoinduction, low antigenicity, rapid bony union, plentiful source of bone graft and convenient utilization.
Zhang
D
D
Department of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, P.R. China 400014.
Liu
Z
Z
Li
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D016025:Bone Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003648:Decalcification Technique; D005260:Female; D005264:Femoral Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005599:Fractures, Ununited / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000601:surgery*