Cancellous allograft versus autologous bone grafting for repair of comminuted distal radius fractures: a prospective, randomized trial.
BACKGROUND
Distal radius fractures with a large metaphyseal defect often need defect filling. We assessed the reliability of a new allogenic transplant as a bone-graft substitute in comparison to autologous iliac crest bone-grafting.


METHODS
This prospective, randomized study included 90 patients. Fracture-osteosynthesis was done with 2.7 mm quarter-tube plates. Tutoplast-cancellous-chips were used as allografts. Clinical and radiologic parameters were determined at three and 12 months after surgery.


RESULTS
Overall outcomes were assessed according to the Demerit Point System: There were 71% good-to-excellent results in the "Tutoplast"; group and 75% good-to-excellent in the "iliac crest" group. Radiologic parameters were comparable and within normal range. Complications deriving from iliac bone harvesting were notably more frequent in the iliac crest group. Operation time was significantly shorter in the Tutoplast group.


CONCLUSIONS
By the use of the investigated allograft no adverse effects were detected on the outcome of the treated radius fractures. Therefore, this new allograft could be a desirable alternative to autologous bone grafting from the iliac crest, as operating and anesthetics times are shortened and complications of iliac crest bone grafting avoided.
Rajan
Gunesh P
GP
Department of Traumatology, University Hospital Zurich, CH-8091 Zurich, Switzerland. Gunesh.Rajan@usz.ch
Fornaro
Jürgen
J
Trentz
Otmar
O
Zellweger
René
R
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D001860:Bone Plates; D018786:Bone Substitutes; D016025:Bone Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D003100:Colles' Fracture / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D018460:Fractures, Comminuted / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007085:Ilium / Q000637:transplantation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous
D018786:Bone Substitutes