Therapeutic effects of transplantation of lyophilized and radiation-sterilized, allogeneic bone.

Abstract

Lyophilized radiation-sterilized bone graft operations were analyzed according to 27 variables in 1014 patients with two-year follow-up results. In 91.3% of patients, the result of treatment was "very good" (full-health restoration) or "satisfactory" (restoration with some small disorders). In 5.1%, the results were unsatisfactory. There was no clear association between the results of treatment and the patient's age. A definite correlation was found in preoperative diagnosis and end results. Better results were achieved in benign tumors and congenital malformations than in post-traumatic and degenerative conditions. Preferred anatomic host beds for transplantation were the coxa, arm, and vertebral column. Less satisfactory results were found in the leg and forearm. The number of good results of treatment declined with increasing duration of preoperative or chronic illness and with increasing postoperation time. Supplementary autogeneic bone did not seem to improve the end result. Concomitant disease was not always a contraindication for bone graft surgery. The significance of various traits in analysis of the final "result of treatment," "fitness for work," and "role of the graft" was evaluated with the aid of Pearson's indices of coincidence.