Introduction. Chronic ruptures of the quadriceps tendon after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) are rare but are a devastating complication. The objective of this study was to validate the use of fresh frozen total fresh quadriceps tendon allografts for quadriceps tendon reconstruction. The hypothesis of this work was that the graft was functional in more than 67% of cases, a higher percentage than the results of conventional treatments. Material – methods. We designed a continuous monocentric retrospective study of all patients operated on between 2009 and 2017 for a chronic rupture of the quadriceps tendon after TKA by quadriceps allograft reconstruction. The usual demographic and perioperative data and the rehabilitation protocols followed were collected. Initial and final radiographs were analyzed to measure patellar height variation. The main criterion was the possibility of achieving an active extension of the knee with a quadriceps contraction force greater than or equal to 3/5 or the possibility of lifting the heel off the ground in a sitting position. Results. 29 patients with 33 allografts were included; 3 iterative allografts were performed on ruptures of the initial transplant and 1 patient was grafted on both sides in one step. There were 21 women and 8 men with a mean age of 73 years, and a mean body mass index of 33 kg/m. 2. Ruptures occurred in 22 cases after chronic periprosthetic infection. Walking was allowed immediately in 29 cases, but free mobilization was delayed in 29 cases. Complications affected 22 cases, but the majority of complications were not related to allograft use (including infectious failures and periprosthetic fractures). After a mean follow-up of 52 months, 28 allografts were still in place, and 22 allografts were considered functional. The active quadriceps extension force was rated on average at 3.5/5. The average pre/post-operative patellar height differential was +2 mm. Discussion. This continuous series of 33 allografts is in line with recent publications on the subject. It confirms their negative impact on the functional outcome of the TKA. The complication rate is high but the specific complication rate is not prohibitive. Two thirds of transplants are functional in the long term. Early rehabilitation procedures can be used in these difficult patients with encouraging results. The management of chronic ruptures of the quadriceps tendon after TKA by quadriceps allograft must be part of the current therapeutic options

Extensor mechanism disruption in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) occurs infrequently but often requires surgical intervention. We compared two cohorts undergoing extensor mechanism allograft reconstruction, one group had an extensor mechanism rupture, and the other had a recurrent ankylosed knee. Thirteen consecutive patients with extensor mechanism disruption or ankylosis after TKA were treated. Two different types of extensor mechanism allografts were used: quadriceps tendon-patella-patella tendon-tibial tubercle, and Achilles tendon allograft(Fig1). Demographic factors, diagnosis at extensor failure, Knee Society clinical rating scores, radiographs, and patient satisfaction were recorded. The average time from extensor mechanism disruption to surgery was 6.6 months (range, 1-24 months). At a mean followup of 24 months (range, 6-46 months), all patients were community ambulators. None of the patients showed a postoperative extensor lag. Average postoperative maximum flexion was 97° (90-115°) for the ruptured group and 80° (75-90) for the ankylosed grup. All patients thought their functional status had improved, and 87% were satisfied with the results of the allograft reconstruction (Fig 2, 3, 4, 5). One patient had allograft failure due to recurrent infection after re-revision for sepsis. The total extensor mechanism allograft and Achilles tendon allograft both were successful in the treatment of the failed extensor mechanism and showed promising results for the treatment of the ankylosed knee

Aims. The ulna is an extremely rare location for primary bone tumours of the elbow in paediatrics. Although several reconstruction options are available, the optimal reconstruction method is still unknown due to the rarity of proximal ulna tumours. In this study, we report the outcomes of osteoarticular ulna allograft for the reconstruction of proximal ulna tumours. Methods. Medical profiles of 13 patients, who between March 2004 and November 2021 underwent osteoarticular ulna allograft reconstruction after the resection of the proximal ulna tumour, were retrospectively reviewed. The outcomes were measured clinically by the assessment of elbow range of motion (ROM), stability, and function, and radiologically by the assessment of allograft-host junction union, recurrence, and joint degeneration. The elbow function was assessed objectively by the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) score and subjectively by the Toronto Extremity Salvage Score (TESS) and Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS) questionnaire. Results. The mean follow-up of patients was 60.3 months (SD 28.5). The mean elbow flexion-extension ROM was 95.8° (SD 21). The mean MSTS of the patients was 84.4 (SD 8.2), the mean TESS was 83.8 (SD 6.7), and the mean MEPS was 79.2 (SD 11.5). All the patients had radiological union at the osteotomy site. Symptomatic osteoarthritic change was observed in three patients (23%), one of whom ended up with elbow joint fusion. Two patients (15.4%) had recurrence during the follow-up period. Surgical complications included two allograft fractures, two plate fractures, three medial instabilities, and two infections. Conclusion. Osteoarticular ulna allograft reconstruction provides acceptable functional outcomes. Despite a high rate of complications, it is still a valuable reconstruction method, particularly in skeletally immature patients who need their distal humerus physis for the rest of hand growth. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2024;5(9):749–757

Allograft reconstruction of large defects after resection of malignant tumors is one option besides use of artificial and other biologic material. Allografts allow for a 1:1 reconstruction of the defect, while endoprosthetic reconstruction for its anchorage usually needs resection of more bone or joint structures and thus more loss of growth plates. Tibial allografts used in adults according to the literature and our own experience has been rather diasappointng – while in our experience in children they seem to function better. Patients and Methods: In 6 children with open growth plates 8 reconstructions with massive fresh frozen cry-preserved allografts have been performed. Age at surgery was 7, 8 (2 children), 9, 11 and 13 years. 4 osteoarticular reconstructions were performed (1 distal tibia, 2 proximal tibia), the others were proximal tibia epiphysis sparing reconstructions after transepiphysial proximal tbia resections. Results: All reconstructions between the recipient and allograft fused, except in one patient developing pseud-arthrosis at diaphysial level after irradiation. The joint function in 2 patients with osteoarticular allografts is excellent at 10 and 6 years f/u. One patient with an osteoarticular allograft died after 2 years from metastases, one needed replacement of the allograft because of a fracture at 4 years and at 6 y f/u of the second allograft is scheduled for resurfacing of the knee joint because of cartilage degeneration. In 4 transepiphyseal resectio-nas and reconstructions the joint fuction continues to be excellent at 1 to 5 year f/u. Conclusion: Allograft reconstructions of the tibia in growing children may have better results than in adults. This may be due to better incorporation. They may allow for partial or complete joint sparing and the growth plate of the joint partner . Good results definitely depend on the appropriate indication, choice of allograft and surgical Technique

Chondrosarcoma is the second most common surgically treated primary bone sarcoma. Despite a large number of scientific papers in the literature, there is still significant controversy about diagnostics, treatment of the primary tumour, subtypes, and complications. Therefore, consensus on its day-to-day treatment decisions is needed. In January 2024, the Birmingham Orthopaedic Oncology Meeting (BOOM) attempted to gain global consensus from 300 delegates from over 50 countries. The meeting focused on these critical areas and aimed to generate consensus statements based on evidence amalgamation and expert opinion from diverse geographical regions. In parallel, periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) in oncological reconstructions poses unique challenges due to factors such as adjuvant treatments, large exposures, and the complexity of surgery. The meeting debated two-stage revisions, antibiotic prophylaxis, managing acute PJI in patients undergoing chemotherapy, and defining the best strategies for wound management and allograft reconstruction. The objectives of the meeting extended beyond resolving immediate controversies. It sought to foster global collaboration among specialists attending the meeting, and to encourage future research projects to address unsolved dilemmas. By highlighting areas of disagreement and promoting collaborative research endeavours, this initiative aims to enhance treatment standards and potentially improve outcomes for patients globally. This paper sets out some of the controversies and questions that were debated in the meeting. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2024;106-B(5):425–429

Introduction: To evaluate the medium-term outcome of patients undergoing revision knee arthroplasty with structural allograft for uncontained defects.

Methods: We followed prospectively 50 patients undergoing 52 revision knee replacements with 66 structural grafts in three institutions. An independent investigator reviewed twenty-nine knees in 27 patients after a mean of 96.9 months.

Results: Twelve knees were re-revised at a mean of 70.7 months. Two of these patients retained their allografts. Eleven patients died with their structural allograft and implants intact and were not awaiting revision at a mean of 93 months.

Failure was defined as an increase of less than 20 points in the modified HSS knee score at the time of the review or the need for an additional operation related to the allograft. Thirteen knees were deemed to be failures giving a 75% success rate. Graft resorption occurred in five patients resulting in implant loosening. Four failed due to infection and non-union between the host bone and allograft was present in two. One patient with both knees grafted failed to gain a 20-point improvement. Survival analysis showed a 72% survival at 10 years. Clinically, the modified HSS score improved from a mean of 32.5 pre-operatively to 75.6 at the time of the review. Radiographic analysis of the surviving grafts showed no severe resorption, one moderate and two mild cases of resorption. Evaluation for loosening revealed one patient with a loose tibial component, while three patients had non-progressive tibial radiolucent lines. All four patients were asymptomatic.

Conclusions: Our results demonstrated encouraging medium-term survival of allografts utilised for revision knee replacement in a group of difficult patients with massive bone loss.

Introduction: The reconstruction of the severely deficient proximal femur is more commonly achieved with a large composite proximal femoral allograft and a prosthesis.

Aim: To review our experience with this technique in 19 revision total hip arthroplasties (18 patients) treated between December 1988 and January 1997.

Cases: There were 15 females and three males. The average age was 56 years (32 to 78 years). The primary diagnoses included osteoarthritis (seven), rheumatoid arthritis (six), congenital dislocation (two), avascular necrosis (one), septic arthritis (one), and ankylosing spondylitis (one). Each underwent an average of three (range: one to 9) previous hip operations. The average time from the previous operation was 10.65 years (0.25 to 25). All hips had significant periprosthetic osteopenia and bone loss on preoperative radiographs. Five had previous infections with two subsequent Girdlestone arthroplasties. Six presented with periprosthetic fractures and loose components.

The hips were approached posteriorly. A step cut was used to secure the host to allograft junction. The femoral component was cemented within the allograft and with a press-fit in the host bone. All but three cases had iliac crest bone graft and/or residual host bone chips added to the host-allograft site. The acetabulum was revised concurrently in 13 (two whole acetabular allografts).

Results: The average period of follow-up was 57.6 months(range: 25 to 127 months). The time taken to heal was estimated radiographically as less than 8.5 months (range: three to 18 months). The average Harris Hip Scores improved from 25.6 to 75.53. One patient complained of persistent pain post-operatively. The complications included proximal migration of the greater trochanter in five, one infection that was converted to a Girdlestone excisional arthroplasty 27 months later, and seven patients with dislocations.

Conclusions: Allograft prosthetic reconstruction of the proximal femur is a durable construct with up to ten years follow-up. This technique preserved host bone while providing additional bone for future reconstruction. There was substantial improvement in function with low complication rates.

Introduction: Osteoarticular allograft represents a reliable option for distal femur reconstruction. The purpose of this study was to describe the technical details and results of distal femur tumor resection and reconstruction with an osteoarticular allograft.

Material and Methods: One hundred and twenty-two patients who received an osteoarticular allograft after distal femur resection were reviewed, with a mean follow-up of 7 years. Key points for successful fixation are allograft selection, absolute stability and satisfactory soft-tissue reconstruction at the time of surgery that allows aggressive rehabilitation. Survival of the allograft was estimated with the Kaplan-Meier method. Functional and radiographic results were documented according to the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society scoring system at the time of the latest follow-up.

Results: Three patients were lost to follow and twenty-three patients died for tumor related reasons without allograft failure. In the remaining 96 allografts, eighteen allografts failed due to 7 infections, 7 local recurrences, 1 massive resorption and 3 fractures. Overall allograft survival was 82% +/− 7.6% (+/− 2 SE) at five and ten years. Those patients who preserved the original allograft had an average functional score of 27 points and a mean radiographic score of 89%, which represents a good and excellent functional and radiographic result.

Discussion and conclusion: Osteoarticular allograft is a successful procedure for reconstruction of the distal femur. Adequate preoperative planning, careful surgical technique and aggressive rehabilitation lead to excellent function and low complication rate.

Purpose: Revision total knee arthroplasty (RTKA) is particularly difficult and results more variable than primary total knee arthroplasty due to the added problem of bone loss. Massive bone allografts have been proposed to restore bone stock and mechanical conditions as close to the physiological situation as possible. The purpose of this retrospective analysis was to assess clinical and radiological results after knee reconstruction with massive allografts in patients undergoing revision total knee arthroplasty.

Materials and method: This series included 14 patients who underwent a revision procedure between February 1990 and August 1998 for RTKA with segmentary bone loss and bone defects. This group included seven patients with mechanical failure and seven others with septic loosening. Reconstruction was achieved with a massive allograft sealed around a long stem cemented implant. The composite assembly was impacted into the patient’s bony segment. The allografts were used to reconstruct the distal femur in nine cases, the proximal tibia in one, and both in the others. The IKS score and radiographic homogenisation of the host-graft junction were assessment criteria.

Results: Mean follow-up was 50 months (24–110). Mean IKS score was significantly improved from 43 (11–70) pre-operatively to 75 (40–100) at last follow-up (Wilcoxon test, p = 0.002). At last follow-up, the flexion-extension amplitude was 91±10°. Radiographic integration of the allografts was achieved in 14 out of 18 grafts. Three allografts were resorbed leading to fracture with subsequent implant failure and a new revision in two. There were no infections.

Discussion and conclusion: Bone grafts may be a solution to the difficult problem of bone loss during RTKA. Massive grafts combined with long stem implants have given encouraging early and mid-term results. The duration of these results is under evaluation.

Different techniques were proposed for reconstruction after distal radial resection for bone tumors. When not dealing with heavy workers or complex revision cases, a motility preserving procedure can be used. From 1999 to 2007 we performed a reconstruction with an ostearticular allograft in 18 patients.

Age of the patients ranged from 13 to 56 years. Histotypes were: giant cell tumor in 16 patients, Ewing sarcoma in 1, osteosarcoma in 1. Neadjuvant chemotherapy was used in Ewing and osteosarcoma patients. Length of resection ranged from 5 to 13 cm. An accurate host-graft capsulorraphy was performed to reestablish joint stability; no adjunctive distal radioulnar stabilization procedures were used. In one case the procedure was performed after a failed previous graft-arthrodesis; in this case also a proximal row carpectomy was performed.

Non-union of the allograft occurred in 2 cases. In one case autologous cancellous bone grafting from the iliac crest was performed. In the second case the patient due to mild symptoms has till now refused further surgery.

No septic complications occurred.

One patient presented a fracture of the allograft; a revision procedure was performed with a new allograft but also the second graft failed and an arthrodesis was performed. This was the only complete failure of our series.

Follow-up ranged from 20 to 103 months. No recurrences (local or distant) were observed. The patients were evaluated with radiographic and clinical examination. Functional evaluation was performed using ISOLS-MSTS score and a wrist-specific functional score (PRWE).

The oncological and functional results in our series highlight that a functional wrist can be restored with an osteoarticular allograft after distal radial resection for bone tumors. Deterioration of the results could occur in the long-term and thus further monitoring with a longer follow-up is needed.

Different techniques were proposed for reconstruction after distal radial resection for bone tumors. When not dealing with heavy workers or complex revision cases, a motility preserving procedure can be used. From 1999 to 2007 we performed a reconstruction with an ostearticular allograft in 18 patients.

Age of the patients ranged from 13 to 56 years. Histotypes were: giant cell tumor in 16 patients, Ewing sarcoma in 1, osteosarcoma in 1. Neadjuvant chemotherapy was used in Ewing and osteosarcoma patients. Length of resection ranged from 5 to 13 cm. An accurate host-graft capsulorraphy was performed to reestablish joint stability; no adjunctive distal radioulnar stabilization procedures were used. In one case the procedure was performed after a failed previous graft-arthrodesis; in this case also a proximal row carpectomy was performed.

Non-union of the allograft occurred in 2 cases. In one case autologous cancellous bone grafting from the iliac crest was performed. In the second case the patient due to mild symptoms has till now refused further surgery.

No septic complications occurred.

One patient presented a fracture of the allograft; a revision procedure was performed with a new allograft but also the second graft failed and an arthrodesis was performed. This was the only complete failure of our series.

Follow-up ranged from 20 to 103 months. No recurrences (local or distant) were observed. The patients were evaluated with radiographic and clinical examination. Functional evaluation was performed using ISOLS-MSTS score, a wrist-specific functional score (PRWE) and a comprehensive evaluation of upper arm function score (DASH).

The oncological and functional results in our series highlight that a functional wrist can be restored with an osteoarticular allograft after distal radial resection for bone tumors. Deterioration of the results could occur in the long-term and thus further monitoring with a longer follow-up is needed.

Several stems have been used for revision of total hip replacement (THR). Moreover, management of proximal femoral bone loss at the time of revision THR remains one of the challenges for hip surgeons. Recently, impaction bone grafting has been suggested to resolve this problem, but it is a demanding technique that results in frequent complications. We have used the Wagner self-locking stem with cancellous chip allograft for reconstruction of proximal femoral bone defect during revision surgery since 1992. This study evaluated the midterm results of using Wagner revision stem with bone allograft for femoral revision of THR. We could evaluate forty-one femoral revisions performed between 1992 and 2005 using Wagner revision stem with bone allograft. All patients had been followed for a minimum of three years with a mean follow-up of 8.6 years. Preoperative radiological femoral bone defects were assessed and classified by Gustillo’s classification. Subsidence of the stem was measured on radiograms taken immediately after revision surgery and again at the latest follow-up. Femoral component fixation was graded as radiographic ingrowth, fibrous stable, or unstable according to the criteria described by Engh et al. The incidence of surgical complications was examined. Allografts were assessed for incorporation into host bone as evidenced by trabecular bridging of the host-graft interface. A clear reduction in density or breakdown of the allograft was defined as bone resorption. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was performed. The end point was revision because of mechanical loosening of the stem. Bone defects were classified as: 10 hips type I, 20 hips type II, and 7 hips type III and 4 hips were a periprosthetic fracture. Subsidence was measured at the time of last follow-up in six hips (3, 3, 12, 16, 21, 30 mm). At the latest follow-up 37 of 41 stems were stable. Allograft incorporation could clearly be observed in the proximal femoral bone defects of 31 stems. Three stems were defined as showing bone resorption. Surgical complications included 11 intraoperative fractures, two femoral shafts were perforated during reaming, one dislocation postoperatively, and 3 greater trochanter pseudoarthroses. There was one deep infection, and these cases were excluded from survivorship analysis. One unstable stem and one stem with infection had to be revised. Kaplan-Meier survival was 97.1 % at 10 years. Wagner self-locking stem with allograft for reconstruction for proximal femoral bone defect in revision surgery is a beneficial procedure. However, because there is a high incidence of intraoperative fractures, surgery should be performed carefully

Introduction: Treatment of acetabular defects can be difficult, especially in case of roof destruction. Since 9 years, we use a variant of Paprosky’s technique which consists in rebuilding the roof by structural allograft and acetabular reinforcement ring. The purpose of this study is to present this technique and the follow up results.

Patients: This retrospective study concerns 21 patients (23 hips) with severe acetabular bone loss (8 cases of stage 2 and 15 cases of stage 3 of Paprosky): 4 septical and 19 aseptical loosening. Between 1998 and 2005, all patients were operated with the same surgical technique using an allogeneic structural allograft (femoral head or distal femur) and an acetabular reinforcement ring (20 of KERBOULL, 3 of GANZ) associated with a cemented PE cup.

Method: Review included a clinical and X-ray evaluation (analysis of the refocusing of the hip, the positioning and the stability of implants and the graft incorporation).

Results: Mean duration of follow-up is 3,5 years [1–8,3]. Preoperative PMA score rised from 6,6 [0–12] to 15,8 [12–18] in postoperative. There was no peroperative complication. After surgery, 2 cases of early hip dislocation required PE block; 2 cases of sepsis were treated, one by washing and one by a surgical revision. In 60% of cases, immediate total weight bearing was allowed.

The immediate postoperative X-rays showed that the rotation center of the hip was 5,2 mm [0–10] far from the ideal rotation center (26% of cases: 0 mm) and the PE cup was implanted with a lateral inclination of 42,5° [30–55]. In postoperative X-ray follow up, one case of acetabular aseptic loosening was found which didn’t need hip revision. In all other cases no modification of implants position neither of hip rotation center was noted. In 79% of cases, we had total graft incorporation; in 17% of cases, an non evolutive radiolucent area between graft and bone and in 4% of cases (loosening) a graft migration.

Conclusion: The use of a structural allograft combined with acetabular reinforcement ring allows hip reconstruction in severe acetabular bone loss with good medium term results.

Postoperative knee stability is critical in determining the success after reconstruction; however, only posterior and anterior stability is assessed. Therefore, this study investigates medial and lateral rotational knee laxity changes after partial and complete PCL tear and after PCL allograft reconstruction. The extending Lachman test assessed knee instability in six fresh-frozen human cadaveric knees. Tibia rotation was measured for the native knee, after partial PCLT (pPCLT), after full PCLT (fPCLT), and then after PCLR tensioned at 30° and 90°. In addition, tests were performed for the medial and lateral sides. The tibia was pulled with 130N using a digital force gauge. A compression load of 50N was applied to the joint on the universal testing machine (MTS Systems) to induce contact. Three-dimensional tibial rotation was measured using a motion capture system (Optotrak). On average, the tibia rotation increased by 33%-42% after partial PCL tear, and by 62%-75% after full PCL tear when compared to the intact case. After PCL reconstruction, the medial tibia rotation decreased by 33% and 37% compared to the fPCL tear in the case that the allograft was tensioned at 30° and 90° of flexion, respectively. Similarly, lateral tibial rotation decreased by 15% and 2% for allograft tensioned at 30° and 90° of flexion respectively, compared to the full tear. Rotational decreases were statistically significant (p<0.005) at the lateral pulling after tensioning the allograft at 90°. PCLR with the graft tensioned at 30° and 90° both reduced medial knee laxity after PCLT. These results suggest that while both tensioning angles restored medial knee stability, tensioning the Achilles graft at 30° of knee flexion was more effective in restoring lateral knee stability throughout the range of motion from full extension to 90° flexion, offering a closer biomechanical resemblance to native knee function

Introduction. A deficient abductor mechanism leads to significant morbidity and few studies have been published describing methods for reconstruction or repair. This study reports the reconstruction of hip abductor deficiency using human allograft. Methods. All patients were identified as having deficient abductor mechanisms following total hip arthroplasty through radiographic assessment, MRI, clinical examination and intra-operative exploration. All patients underwent hip abductor reconstruction using a variety of human allografts including proximal humeral, tensor fascia lata, quadriceps and patellar tendon. The type of allograft reconstruction used was customized to each patient, all being attached to proximal femur, allograft bone adjacent to host bone, with cerclage wires. If a mid-substance muscle rupture was identified an allograft tendon to host tendon reconstruction was performed. Results. Allograft reconstruction was performed in 15 patients over 18 months. One patient had an abductor deficiency after a primary total hip. All patients had an abductor lurch gait and positive Trendelenburg test preoperatively. Manual muscle strength testing showed significant weakness with a mean MRC grade of 3+/5. Peri-trochanteric pain was cited as a significant complaint in > 80 % of patients. Proximal humeral allografts, with rotator cuff, were used in 8 patients, 5 had tensor fascia lata and the remainder had patella with attached tendon allograft. The majority of patients had a reduction in pain and 8/15 (53%) increased their abductor strength by almost a full grade. A reduced lurch was observed in 10 (66%) patients and one patient re-dislocated after a failed revision for instability. Conclusion. To our knowledge, this is the largest reported series of allograft reconstruction for a deficient abductor mechanism following hip arthroplasty. A viable solution is demonstrated, with promising early results for a difficult problem, utilizing a straightforward technique with low morbidity

Chronic extensor mechanism insufficiency around TKA is a very challenging pathology to treat. An insufficient extensor mechanism negatively affects implant survival and patient outcomes. There are several risk factors for extensor mechanism disruption and the surgeon should be aware and avoid these problems in the perioperative period. In appropriately selected patients, reconstruction of the extensor mechanism is a valid option. Whole extensor mechanism and Achilles tendon allograft reconstruction of the deficient extensor mechanism have been proposed with good early published results. These reconstructions, however, are expensive and with time may stretch and lead to recurrence of an extensor lag. An alternative to allograft, is the use of Marlex mesh as popularised by Browne and Hanssen. This technique uses a knitted monofilament polypropylene mesh that is secured to the patient's native lateral tissue and covered by an appropriately dissected and distalised vastus medialis muscle. The technique can be used for both patellar and quadriceps tendon deficiencies and can be done with or without implant revision and is currently the treatment of choice at the presenter's institution. The surgeon should be aware of the complexity and limitations of these three reconstructive techniques

INTRODUCTION. Allograft reconstruction after resection of primary bone sarcomas has a non-union rate of approximately 20%. Achieving a wide surface area of contact between host and allograft bone is one of the most important factors to help reduce the non-union rate. We developed a novel technique of haptic robot-assisted surgery to reconstruct bone defects left after primary bone sarcoma resection with structural allograft. METHODS. Using a sawbone distal femur joint-sparing hemimetaphyseal resection/reconstruction model, an identical bone defect was created in six sawbone distal femur specimens. A tumor-fellowship trained orthopedic surgeon reconstructed the defect using a simulated sawbone allograft femur. First, a standard, ‘all-manual’ technique was used to cut and prepare the allograft to best fit the defect. Then, using an identical sawbone copy of the allograft, the novel haptic-robot technique was used to prepare the allograft to best fit the defect. All specimens were scanned via CT. Using a separately validated technique, the surface area of contact between host and allograft was measured for both (1) the all-manual reconstruction and (2) the robot-assisted reconstruction. All contact surface areas were normalized by dividing absolute contact area by the available surface area on the exposed cut surface of host bone. RESULTS. The mean area of contact between host and allograft bone was 24% (of the available host surface area) for the all-manual group and 76% for the haptic robot-assisted group (p=0.004). CONCLUSIONS. This is the first report to our knowledge of using haptic robot technology to assist in structural bone allograft reconstruction of defects left after primary bone tumor resection. The findings strongly indicate that this technology has the potential to be of substantial clinical benefit. Further studies are warranted

Pupose: The purpose of this study was to analyze the outcome of proximal tibia osteoarticular allografts after tumor resections. Material amd Methods: We performed a retrospective study over 58 patients in which a proximal tibia allograft reconstruction was undertaken. All patients were followed for a minimum of 5 years and allografts survival from the date of implantation to the date of revision or the time of the latest follow-up was determined with the use of the Kaplan-Meier method. In all patients, the patellar tendon from the host was reattached by suturing to overlapped donor flaps. Patients were clinically evaluated with the MSTS score system. Results: The global rate of allograft survival was 65% +/− 12% (+/− 2 SE) at five and ten years, with no significant difference between patients who received chemotherapy and those who did not. Allografts needed to be removed in twenty patients due to 12 infection, 4 local recurrences and 4 fractures. Active knee extension was restored in all patients with an average functional score of 26.3 points. Discussion: Survival analysis showed that 65% of proximal tibia osteoarticular allograft reconstructions remain stable at five and ten years. Patellar tendon reconstruction with allogeneic tissue in proximal tibia allograft restores active knee extension with an excellent functional result. Despite the incidence of complications, proximal tibia osteoarticular allografts continue to be a very valuable reconstructive procedure for large defects after resection of bone tumors

The August 2012 Oncology Roundup. 360. looks at: prolonged symptom duration; peri-operative mortality and above-knee amputation; giant cell tumour of the spine; surgical resection for Ewing’s sarcoma; intercalary allograft reconstruction of the femur for tumour defects; and an induced membrane technique for large bone defects

Purpose. The management of moderate to large engaging Hill-Sachs lesions is controversial and surgical options include remplissage, allograft reconstruction, and partial resurfacing arthroplasty. Few in-vitro studies have quantified their biomechanical characteristics and none have made direct comparisons. The purpose of this study was to compare joint stability and range of motion (ROM) among these procedures using an in-vitro shoulder simulator. It was hypothesized that all procedures would prevent defect engagement, but allograft and partial resurfacing would most accurately restore intact biomechanics; while remplissage would provide the greatest stabilization, possibly at the expense of motion. Method. Eight cadaveric shoulders were tested on an active in-vitro shoulder simulator. Each specimen underwent testing in 11 conditions: intact, Bankart lesion, Bankart repair, and two unrepaired Hill-Sachs lesions (30% & 45%) which were then treated with each of the three techniques. Anterior joint stability, ROM in extension and internal-external rotation, and glenohumeral engagement were assessed. Stability was quantified as resistance, in N/mm, to an anteriorly applied load of 70N. Results. Remplissage significantly increased joint stiffness compared to both defects (6.43.8 N/mm, p=0.01) and the allograft and partial resurfacing (p <= 0.04). No technique significantly surpassed the stability of the intact state (p>0.05). In adduction, the remplissage significantly reduced internal-external rotation compared to both defects (p <= 0.01), but only the 30% repair caused a significant change compared to the intact state (14.511.3 N/mm, p=0.05). In abduction, all repairs reduced rotation ROM compared to the Hill-Sachs defect (>= 8.24o, p <= 0.04), but none with respect to the intact condition (p >= 0.05). Remplissage had significantly less extension than either resurfacing procedure (>= 15.4o, p <= 0.02) and resulted in a greater reduction in extension ROM for 45% defects compared to 30% defects (11.918.91, p=0.06). All unrepaired lesions engaged during extension. None of the remplissage or allograft reconstructions engaged, however, 75% of partial resurfacing arthroplasties partially engaged. Conclusion. This study is the first biomechanical evaluation to directly compare three surgical procedures for engaging Hill-Sachs lesions. Each procedure enhanced stability; however, the enhancement provided by the resurfacing repairs more closely resembled the intact state. Remplissage of the 30% and the 45% defects improved stability and eliminated glenohumeral engagement but caused significant and progressive reductions in ROM. In comparison, both the allograft and partial resurfacing procedures re-established ranges of motion approaching those of the intact joint; however, the partial resurfacing could not fully prevent engagement. These findings indicate that the effects of each technique are not equivalent and further clinical and biomechanical studies are required