title: The effects of prolonged deep freezing on the biomechanical properties of osteochondral allografts.
abstract: Musculo-skeletal allografts sterilized and deep frozen are among the most common human tissue to be preserved and utilized in modern medicine. The effects of a long deep freezing period on cortical bone has already been evaluated and found to be insignificant. However, there are no reports about the influences of a protracted deep freezing period on osteochondral allografts. One hundred osteochondral cylinders were taken from a fresh specimen and humeral heads of 1 year, 2 years, 3 years and 4 year old bones. Twenty chips from each period, with a minimum of 3 chips per humeral head. Each was mechanically tested by 3 point compression. The fresh osteochondral allografts were significantly mechanically better than the deep frozen osteochondral allografts. There was no statistical significant time dependent difference between the deep frozen groups in relation to the freezing period. Therefore, we conclude that, from the mechanical point of view deep freezing of osteochondral allografts over a period of 4 years, is safe without further deterioration of the biomechanical properties of the osteochondral allografts.
authors.affiliation: Rabin Medical Center, Petah Tikva, Israel.
authors.forename: Benjamin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Rozen
authors.forename: Tamar
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Brosh
authors.forename: Moshe
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Salai
authors.forename: Amir
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Herman
authors.forename: Israel
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Dudkiewicz
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D018586:Bone Banks; D016025:Bone Transplantation; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000502:physiology*; D002356:Cartilage / Q000502:physiology* / Q000637:transplantation; D019245:Compressive Strength / Q000502:physiology; D015925:Cryopreservation; D005615:Freezing / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult