title: The changes in major limb reconstruction as a result of the development of allografts.
abstract: Over the past 30 years the author and his colleagues have performed almost 1100 non-pelvic massive cadaveric allografts mostly in the treatment of malignant tumors of bone. The overall results show that 77% of the devices are still functional and competent. The best results were the intercalary grafts (86%) while the poorest were the allograft arthrodeses (61% successful). The complications of fracture and non-union are the principal problems reducing the success rate to 48% and 71% respectively. Primary infection was a major issue but occurred in less than 8% of the cases and reduced the success rate to 72%. Secondary infection following operative procedures to repair fracture or graft non-union occurred in 53 cases and reduced the success rate to less then 30%. No patients died of infection.
authors.affiliation: Ortopaedic Sevice, Massachussetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
authors.forename: Henry J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Mankin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D016025:Bone Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005121:Extremities / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*