肢体大块骨缺损的大段同种异种骨关节移植

作者为３５例四肢恶性肿瘤切除后的骨缺损患者进行了大段同种异体骨移植重建，其中男性２３例，女性１２例。股骨下端和胫骨上端占６８．５％。骨肉瘤占４０％。所有病例均经术前、术后化疗。植骨材料来源于该院综合骨库。作者强调充分的术前准备，仔细选择匹配移植骨段，手术中注意设计骨膜油套和软组织袖套以利于骨愈合。本组病例随访５个月￣１０年，平均３年，其中无病存活者２５例，死亡６例，带病存活４例。部分患者于术后２年     

Allogeneic grafts for bone tumor: 21 cases of osteoarticular and segmental grafts

We treated 21 aggressive and malignant bone tumors by wide resection and replacement with deep-frozen osteoarticular and segmental (intercalary and block) allografts. Radiologic and histologic studies showed a gradual accretion of new bone on the graft trabeculae, sometimes with total creeping substitution. Substantial resorption of grafted condylar bone occurred in 3 of 14 cases. One of them ended with arthrodesis; in the other 2 the result after augmentation autografts was fair. Radiographically, a gradual joint surface destruction was observed in all the osteoarticular grafts after 5 years, not correlating with joint function, however. Biopsies showed some cartilage regeneration. Each patient underwent, on an average, two operations. Function after osteoarticular grafts at 3-16 years was excellent in 1 case, good in 4, fair in 6, and poor in 1 case; 2 cases were too recent for evaluation. Function 3-12 years after segmental grafts was excellent in 3 cases and poor in 3 cases (1 amputation due to nonunion, 1 amputation due to recurrence, and 1 prosthetic replacement due to recurrence); 1 case was too recent for evaluation. We conclude that an allograft is an acceptable alternative in the reconstruction of large tumor defects. However, it still presents unsolved immunologic and preservation problems, which make the prognosis guarded.     

Allogeneic grafts for bone tumor. 21 cases of osteoarticular and segmental grafts

We treated 21 aggressive and malignant bone tumors by wide resection and replacement with deep-frozen osteoarticular and segmental (intercalary and block) allografts. Radiologic and histologic studies showed a gradual accretion of new bone on the graft trabeculae, sometimes with total creeping substitution. Substantial resorption of grafted condylar bone occurred in 3 of 14 cases. One of them ended with arthrodesis; in the other 2 the result after augmentation autografts was fair. Radiographically, a gradual joint surface destruction was observed in all the osteoarticular grafts after 5 years, not correlating with joint function, however. Biopsies showed some cartilage regeneration. Each patient underwent, on an average, two operations. Function after osteoarticular grafts at 3-16 years was excellent in 1 case, good in 4, fair in 6, and poor in 1 case; 2 cases were too recent for evaluation. Function 3-12 years after segmental grafts was excellent in 3 cases and poor in 3 cases (1 amputation due to nonunion, 1 amputation due to recurrence, and 1 prosthetic replacement due to recurrence); 1 case was too recent for evaluation. We conclude that an allograft is an acceptable alternative in the reconstruction of large tumor defects. However, it still presents unsolved immunologic and preservation problems, which make the prognosis guarded.     

Functional outcomes and complications of reconstruction of the proximal humerus after intra‐articular tumor resection

Objective: To evaluate functional outcomes and complications of reconstruction of the proximal humerus after intra‐articular tumor resection. Methods: Twenty‐five patients who underwent Malawer I type resection and reconstruction of the proximal humerus for treatment of malignant or invasive benign tumors from August 1999 to August 2005 were evaluated. A variety of reconstructive procedures, including modular tumor prosthesis, osteoarticular allograft, and allograft‐prosthetic composite (APC), were performed after resection of tumor. Oncological and radiographic parameters were evaluated. The modified Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) evaluation system was used to assess limb functional outcome. Results: The study group consisted of 10 male and 15 female patients, among which there were 20 malignant and 5 benign tumors. Restoration of shoulder function was achieved with a prosthesis in 6 patients, osteoarticular allograft in 12, and allograft‐prosthesis composite in 7. At a mean of 48 months follow‐up, 2 patients had died of disease. Two patients had local recurrence and 2 had metastatic disease. On the basis of the modified MSTS functional evaluation, the mean scores were 22.50 in the modular prosthesis group, 24.58 in the osteoarticular allograft group, and 27.00 in APC group, respectively. Joint instability and subluxation were serious complications affecting shoulder function in 10 patients. Conclusion: Reconstruction of the proximal humerus is an option that provides good relief of pain and preserves manual dexterity. Functional outcomes are better for APC and allograft than for modular prosthesis, due to retention of the rotation cuff. Complications in the APC group were less than in the allograft one.     

同种异体骨关节移植修复长段骨关节缺损

目的 评价同种异体骨关节移植修复长段骨关节缺损后的临床效果。方法 １９９１年９月￣１９９７年１１月对侵袭性或恶性骨肿瘤瘤段切除后长段骨关节或骨干缺损３６例,创伤性长段骨缺损２例,采用低温冷冻或冻干同种异体骨关节或骨干移植物修复。结果 术后早期３８例均未发生明显的免疫排异反应。随访１年５个月￣７年５个月,平均４．２年,存活３１例,优良率达７４．１９％。结论 低温冷冻或冻干的同种异体骨或骨关节移植物抗     

Survivorship and radiographic analysis of knee osteoarticular allografts

An evaluation of long-term survival and radiographic deterioration of 118 knee osteoarticular allografts in 114 patients was performed. Radiographic analysis was done according to the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society grading system. A failure was defined as when the allograft was removed during a revision procedure or amputation. Ten patients were lost to followup during the first 2 years after surgery. Eighteen patients without allograft failures died of complications related to the tumor. Twenty-six allografts failed because of infection (13 allografts), local recurrence (eight allografts), massive resorptions (three allografts) and fractures (two allografts). Sixty-four allografts still were in place at a mean of 98 months (range, 36-360 months) after implantation. The Kaplan-Meier 5-year survival rate for the knee osteoarticular allografts was 73% and the limb preservation rate was 93%. The mean radiographic score was 83%. Sixty-four percent of the allografts showed no radiologic changes or minor articular deterioration. Fourteen percent had narrowing of the joint space of more than 2 mm, and 22% had some form of subchondral bone collapse. Five patients required joint resurfacing to preserve the original allograft. Most of the allograft failures occurred during the first 4 years, and the allograft survival rate for the current series remained unchanged after 5 years.     

Allografts about the Knee in Young Patients with High-Grade Sarcoma

Reconstruction after resections for high-grade sarcomas about the knee in children and adolescents is a challenging problem because of the large soft tissue and skeletal defects, the effects of adjuvant therapy, and the potential for long-term use of the limb. One hundred sixteen patients, all 18 years or younger, with osteosarcoma or Ewing's sarcoma located between the middle femur and middle tibia, were treated with chemotherapy, resection, and allograft reconstruction. One hundred three patients with osteosarcoma and 13 patients with Ewing's sarcoma had 105 Stage II and 11 Stage III tumors. There were 72 osteoarticular grafts (39 femur, 33 tibia), 28 intercalary grafts (19 femur), seven allograft-prosthetic composites (all femur,) and nine allograft-arthrodeses (seven femur, two tibia). At latest followup, 49% of all of the allograft reconstructions were rated good or excellent, 14% were rated as fair, and 37% were failures. Sixteen percent had an infection develop. Twenty-seven percent of patients had a fracture, 34% had a nonunion, and 14 patients eventually required amputation. Reconstruction of large bone defects about the knee in young patients who are being treated with chemotherapy is difficult. Although complications significantly affect outcome, allografts are a viable option for reconstruction in children with high-grade sarcomas about the knee.     

Use of distal femoral osteoarticular allografts in limb salvage surgery

BACKGROUND: As diagnostic and therapeutic techniques improve, patients with a musculoskeletal sarcoma should expect longer survival, fewer complications and side effects, and an improved quality of life. Functional longevity of the reconstruction after resection of the tumor becomes a major concern, especially in young and physically active patients. The purpose of this study was to analyze the mid-term and long-term survival of reconstructions with a distal femoral osteoarticular allograft in a series of patients. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the results of eighty reconstructions with a distal femoral osteoarticular allograft following resection of a bone tumor in seventy-six patients. The mean duration of follow-up was eighty-two months. The rates of survival of the allograft and the joint surface were estimated with use of the Kaplan-Meier method. Cox regression analysis was performed to determine whether age, gender, the percentage of the femur that had been resected, and the use of chemotherapy were independent prognostic factors. Functional and radiographic results were documented according to the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society scoring system at the time of the latest follow-up. RESULTS: Five patients were lost to follow-up, leaving seventy-five allografts in seventy-one patients available for study. Thirteen patients (thirteen allografts) died of tumor-related causes without allograft failure before a two-year radiographic follow-up could be performed. Of the remaining sixty-two allografts, fourteen failed: six failed as a result of infection; four, because of local recurrence; one, because of massive resorption; and three, as a result of fracture. At the time of final follow-up, at a mean of 125 months, forty-eight allografts were still in place. The overall rate of allograft survival was 78% at both five and ten years, and the rate of allograft survival without the need for resurfacing with a knee prosthesis was 71% at both five and ten years. With the numbers available, age, gender, the percentage of the femur that had been resected, and the use of chemotherapy were not found to have a significant effect on the overall allograft survival rates. The patients who retained the original allograft had good or excellent functional and radiographic results. CONCLUSIONS: The life expectancy for most patients with a highly aggressive or malignant tumor in the distal part of the femur is now several decades. In this study, we found a high rate of survival of distal femoral allograft reconstructions at both five and ten years.     

The use of bone allografts for limb salvage in high-grade extremity osteosarcoma

Limb preservation is increasingly being employed in the local treatment of high-grade extremity osteosarcoma. Bone allografts used to reconstruct the bony defects following tumor resection offer many advantages, including joint reconstruction and incorporation of the graft to the host bone in these relatively young patients. The results of 53 patients 30 years of age or younger were assessed to determine functional outcome. Fresh-frozen allografts were employed as osteoarticular grafts, allograft-arthrodeses, allograft-prosthesis composites, or intercalary grafts. Follow-up intervals averaged 25 months (range, two to 63 months). Life-table analysis showed that the probability of a satisfactory functional result was 73% if local tumor recurrences were excluded. Complications included 16 infections, six fractures, 12 nonunions, and six unstable joints. There were five local recurrences. Eighteen grafts ultimately failed, and in six patients, this resulted in an above-knee amputation. An additional five received a second graft. The functional "end results" of the 38 patients with two or more years of follow-up examinations were 70% satisfactory in those without a local recurrence. There was no statistically significant difference in functional outcome or local or distant relapse in those patients receiving preoperative chemotherapy. The authors conclude that allografts can be used for limb reconstruction in patients with high-grade osteosarcoma who receive aggressive adjuvant chemotherapy. The functional results are comparable to other methods of reconstruction, and once incorporated by the host, offer the advantage of longevity, compared with metallic implants.     

Total knee arthroplasty in patients who have massive osteoarticular allografts

The authors treated 24 patients with total knee arthroplasty who had a massive allograft used to reconstruct the knee and who later had instability, degeneration, or a fracture near the articular surface of the graft develop. Patients then were followed up for a minimum of 2 years and a mean of 8.2 years. Overall, 96% of the patients retained a functional limb, although 46% underwent revision surgery, and an additional 12% had some other major complication. Statistical analysis showed a significant negative effect of chemotherapy on revision-free survival of the prosthesis. Patients with high-grade tumors were at significantly greater risk of fracture of the allograft-prosthesis composite. Certain technical factors were identified that seemed to predispose the allograft-prosthesis reconstructions to early failure. Total knee arthroplasty can be used to treat patients with complications of massive osteoarticular allografts and may prolong the functional life of an otherwise successful limb salvage reconstruction.     

异体骨关节移植在胫骨上段骨肿瘤保肢治疗中的近期疗效

目的分析胫骨上段骨肿瘤患者接受同种异体骨父节移植的方法并评价该办法在胫骨七段保肢治疗中的近期疗效。方法1998年9月～2003年6月埘15例胫骨上段骨肿瘤患者行瘤段切除异体骨关节移植。其中男7例，女8例。年龄14～56岁。7例胫骨上段进展性骨巨细胞瘤．未接受化疗；8例胫骨上段恶性骨肿瘤，分别为骨肉瘤6例、梭形细胞肉瘤和恶性纤维组织细胞瘤各1例．均接受新辅助化疗．术前1～2个疗程、术后4～6个疗程。Enneking分期：IB期7例、ⅡA期2例、ⅡB期6例。所有患者采用广泛性边缘切除．移植异体骨关节长度6～16cm，平均12cm。结果术后所有患者均获随访3～58个月．平均27个月。接受化疗的8例胫骨上段恶性骨肿瘤无骨折，5例骨性愈合，3例骨不连，其中2例合并感染．局部复发1例，均行股骨下段截肢；Mankin评分：优2例，良2例，一般1例，差3例，优良率为50％。7例胫骨上段进展性骨巨细胞瘤，无感染和局部复发；2例骨小连．关节不稳2例，戴膝关节支具行走；Mankin评分：优3例，良2例，一般2例，优良率为71%。结论胫骨上段肄体骨父节移植有较高的许发症，但优势不可忽视，为胫骨上段进展性良性骨肿瘤和恶性骨肿瘤提供可选择的保肢治疗手段。     

冷冻异体骨移植治疗肢体骨巨细胞瘤骨缺损77例临床报告

目的评价应用异体骨重建原发骨巨细胞瘤切除后骨缺损的肢体功能及并发症的发生情况。方法对1992年至2002年进行外科治疗、有完整随访资料的77例骨巨细胞瘤进行回顾分析。外科治疗依据Enneking外科分期原则,进行了肿瘤切除、异体骨重建。采用Mankin评分方法进行功能评定。结果平均随访时间35.3个月。76例患者存活,1例死亡。局部复发率14.1％,肺转移率5.1％,骨不愈合14.1％,关节不稳定9％,内固定折断、感染率及骨折均为6.4％。治疗满意率83.2％,最终保肢率98.7％。结论采用深低温保存异体骨进行骨巨细胞瘤切除后骨缺损的修复重建是一种有效方法;同时,异体骨移植也是一种有较高并发症发生率的重建方法,降低并发症可提高肢体功能;肿瘤复发是影响治疗满意率的主要影响因素,恰当的外科边界是治疗骨巨细胞瘤的关键。     

Reconstruction for defects of the proximal part of the femur using allograft arthroplasty

One of the most difficult problems in orthopaedic oncology is reconstruction after resection of a tumor of the proximal end of the femur. In order to achieve a wide margin about a primary or secondary malignant neoplasm of bone, it is often necessary to resect not only the hip joint and fifteen or more centimeters of the proximal part of the femur, but also the surrounding envelope of soft tissue. In some patients, little is left but the sciatic and femoral nerves and vessels. Since 1971, we have done reconstructions in forty-four patients, using an allograft and an implant or else an osteoarticular graft alone to replace the proximal end of the femur. Twenty-eight of these reconstructions were performed in patients who had had a malignant tumor and were followed for two to fifteen years postoperatively. Fifteen of the patients had only an osteoarticular graft, and thirteen had an allograft and a prosthesis (nine Austin Moore, two bipolar, and two long-stem total hip replacements). The average length of the femoral segment was 18.4 centimeters; the longest one measured thirty-one centimeters. Using an evaluation system of functional end-results that includes failures as a result of recurrence of the tumor, we recorded approximately 70 per cent excellent and good results for both groups. When the two failures that were due to recurrence of the tumor were omitted from the statistics (in order to evaluate the allograft procedure more fully), the successful results increased to about 80 per cent. In general, the patients who had an osteoarticular reconstruction fared less well than did those who had an allograft and a prosthesis, but the series were not quite comparable. The major complications were metastases in nine patients (five of whom died), infection in five, and fracture of the allograft in six. Restoration of the reconstruction was possible for most of the patients who had a problem that was not related to the tumor, and only one patient required an amputation for recurrent tumor. Despite the many difficulties, we think that an allograft, with or without a prosthetic implant, should be given primary consideration as a means of reconstruction of the limb when resection of a tumor necessitates resection of a long segment of the proximal end of the femur.     

Unicondylar osteoarticular allografts of the knee

BACKGROUND: In the management of a resected distal femoral or proximal tibial condyle as the result of tumor or trauma, a unicondylar osteoarticular allograft is currently the only reconstructive option that avoids the sacrifice of the unaffected condyle. The purposes of this study were to perform a survival analysis of unicondylar osteoarticular allografts of the knee and to evaluate the complications. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the results of forty large unicondylar osteoarticular allograft procedures in thirty-eight patients who were followed for a mean of eleven years. Twenty-nine allografts were femoral transplants and included eleven medial and eighteen lateral femoral condyles. Eleven allografts were tibial transplants, including four medial and seven lateral tibial condyles. The procedure was performed after a tumor resection in thirty-six patients and to replace condylar loss after a severe open fracture in the remaining two patients. Complications were analyzed, and allograft survival from the date of implantation to the date of revision or the time of the latest follow-up was determined. Functional and radiographic results were documented according to the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society scoring system at the time of the latest follow-up. RESULTS: One patient died of tumor-related causes without allograft failure before the two-year follow-up evaluation. The global rate of allograft survival at both five and ten years was 85%, with a mean follow-up of 148 months. In six patients, the allografts were removed at an average of twenty-six months (range, six to forty-eight months) and these were considered failures. All six patients underwent a second allograft procedure including two new unicondylar and four bicondylar reconstructions. The mean radiographic score for the thirty-three surviving allografts evaluated was 89%, with an average functional score of 27 of a possible 30 points. CONCLUSIONS: Unicondylar osteoarticular allografts of the knee appear to be a reliable alternative for patients in whom reconstruction of massive osteoarticular bone loss is limited to one condyle of the femur or the tibia.     

复合骨移植修复骨肿瘤切除后大段骨关节缺损

目的 报道复合骨移植修复骨肿瘤切除后大段骨关节缺损的临床疗效。方法 2001年1月-2002年12月应用带监测皮岛的自体腓骨与大段同种异体深低温冷冻骨关节复合移植修复骨肿瘤切除后大段骨关节缺损10例。结果 10例均得到随访，随访时间5～24个月。移植的自体腓骨长度最长28cm，最短15cm。8例在术后3个月即有影像学骨性愈合，10例均于术后半年完全负重和邻近关节自由活动，术后超过1年的5例均已拆除内固定，术后1年均完全愈合。结论 带监测皮岛的自体腓骨与大段同种异体深低温冷冻骨关节复合移植是修复骨肿瘤切除后大段骨关节缺损的有效且可靠的方法，可用于骨肿瘤保肢术中。     

Autogenous non-vascularized fibula for treatment of giant cell tumor of distal end radius

Introduction  

Giant cell tumor of distal end of radius is treated by wide resection and intralesional procedures with former having better results. The various modalities for the defect created are vascularized/non-vascularized bone graft, osteoarticular allografts and custom-made prosthesis. We report outcome of wide resection and non-vascularized fibular grafting in biopsy-proven giant cell tumors.     

Allograft fractures revisited

A retrospective review of patients with allograft fractures was done at the authors' institution. Between 1974 and 1998, 185 of 1046 (17.7%) structural allografts fractured in 183 patients at a mean of 3.2 years after transplantation. Initial allograft fixation included internal fixation with plates and screws in 181 patients. Patients with grafts that were longer than the average length (15.5 cm) tended to have worse results. Adjuvant therapy had no effect on fracture rate. Seventy-three patients with fractures had other allograft complications. Infection and nonunion with allograft fracture significantly worsened the outcome. The incidence of fracture in the patients with osteoarticular and arthrodesis transplants was significantly higher than those patients who had intercalary and composite reconstructions. Treatment of the allograft fractures included open reduction and internal fixation in 41 patients, reconstruction with a new allograft in 38, allograft-prosthesis composite in five, oncologic prosthesis in 19, amputation in 15, arthroscopic removal of loose bodies in three, resurfacing of fractured osteoarticular allograft surfaces in 39, allograft removal and cement spacer placement in 15. Twenty patients did not receive treatment. Eight of the fractures in patients who were not treated healed spontaneously. Outcomes were judged as excellent in nine patients (4.9%), good in 72 patients (38.9%), fair in 17 patients (9.2%), and in 85 patients (45.9%) the allograft reconstruction failed.     

Reconstruction by bony allografts for malignant tumors of the skeleton at the end of growth

Summary Between Mai 1st, 1983 and December 1st, 1995, 57 bone tumors, mostly primitive and malignant have been referred to our department: there were 34 osteosarcomas and 15 chondrosarcomas. The primary treatment was 21 prosthesis, 11 bone allografts, 9 amputations or disarticulations, 8 Tikoff-Linberg procedures, 4 resections without reconstruction, 2 autografts reconstructions 1 spacer reconstruction and 1 Juvara technique.Among the 11 patients treated by bone allografts, there were 7 males and 4 females. The mean age was 27 years (range 12–70 years). The histological diagnosis was: osteosarcoma (6), chondrosarcoma (2), Ewing sarcoma (1), metastasis (1), recurrent giant cell tumor(1). The localisation was: femoral neck (1), femoral diaphysis (5), distal femur (2), proximal tibia (1), proximal humerus (2). The medical treatment of osteosarcomas and Ewing sarcomas included pre- and post-operative chemotherapy. The mean length of bone resection was 17.8 cm (range: 8–22 cm). Bone allografts were perforated, non irradiated, and cryopreserved at –196°C. Five allografts were intercalar femoral grafts, fixed with a Grosse and Kempf nail (2), or an AO blade plate, 2 allografts were intercalar femoro-tibial grafts (arthrodesis), with a titane nail, 2 allografts were osteo-chondral and ligamentar allografts, 1 in the distal femur (interlocking nail.) 1 in the proximal humerus (plate). 1 metaphyso-diaphyseal and tendinous allograft was the cuff of the cemented stem of a humeral prosthesis. 1 allograft was acetabular.Infectious and oncologic complications are non specific complications and occur with any reconstructive techniques. They belong to the surgery for malignant bone tumors. 3/11 patients (27%) have been reoperated for either a local recurrence, or a second malignant tumor or an infection. These major complications led to an amputation of the inferior limb in one patient (second malignant tumor) , and to an important handicape in the second patient despite a functional limb (infection). The patient with a local recurrence, was treated by a second-line chemotherapy and a second conservative surgery by an articular megaprosthesis. The present follow-up for this patient is 10 years from diagnosis, and 8 years from recurrence.Specific complications are related to the mechanical fragility of a dead bone, immunologically inert, the rehoming of which is very slow, partial and superficial. 4/11 patients (36%) were reoperated for fracture (in 2 osteo-chondral allografts), pseudarthrosis (1 tibio-femoral allograft) or pseudarthrosis and functional shrinkage (1 intercalar femoral allograft). In 3 of 4 cases, the function was restored or maintained at its previous level which was satisfactorily.Survival and disease-free survival: The mean follow-up was 62 months (range: 10–132 months). Two patients died from disease, and the third one exhibited lung metastases from an osteosarcoma.1 patient with a recurrent giant-cell tumor had no new recurrence, and 7 patients with malignant tumors were in first complete continuous remission. Of 6 osteosarcomas, the follow-up was between 7 and 11 years for 4 patients.When revised, all the 7 patients with intercalar allograft had an excellent or good functionnal result.Conclusion: We favour the reconstruction by cemented unmuffed megaprosthesis around the knee because it gives the most rapid functionnal recovery for these patients for whom the medical treatment is intensive and prolonged (osteosarcomas and Ewing sarcomas). Intercalar allograft is the unavoidable solution for some anatomical sites: its muscular surrounding is excellent at the thigh level, but it is poor between the femur and the tibia. Besides local oncologic complications, infection is the most dreadful complication. The reconstruction with an allograft exposes to the non union of the junctions, to stress fractures, to resorption which can lead to mechanical failure, and sometimes to host immune reactions against

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Reconstruction par allogreffes osseuses pour tumeurs malignes du squelette en fin de croissanceL'expérience de l'Hôpital de Hautepierre (1983–1995)

     

Massive osteoarticular allografts in the reconstruction of extremities following resection of tumors not requiring chemotherapy and radiation

Since 1976, 70 osteoarticular allografts have been used to reconstruct extremities from which tumors not requiring chemotherapy or radiotherapy have been resected. Allografts excised from cadavers were stored in the vapor phase of liquid nitrogen in liquid nitrogen freezers (-150 degrees) after exposure to 15% glycerol. Prior to their use, the allografts were thawed rapidly in either tissue culture or balanced salt solutions. Following resection of the tumor, the excised bone was replaced with allografts that were rigidly internally fixed with plates and screws or, occasionally, with intramedullary rods. Patients were observed carefully for complications and were subjected to functional evaluations. Complications did not include alterations suggestive of a pronounced immunologic response to the graft. Five patients developed either local recurrences or distal metastasis. Of the remaining 65 patients, followed for one year or longer, osteochondral allografts performed satisfactorily in 55 (84.6%). This group included eight patients with initial complications that were successfully treated. The group of ten patients with unsatisfactory results included four patients with fractures of the grafts, one with fragmentation of the humeral head, three with infections, and two with joint instabilities. Since all patients had either hemi-joint or quarter joint replacements, the overall results achieved so far have been rewarding. However, continued long-term observations of patients with allografts are indicated, as are studies that would allow for the improvement of cartilage preservation, decrease the incidence of fractures, and improve rigidity of internal fixation. The incidence of infection can be reduced by the improvement in surgical technique, particularly with reference to the wound closure.