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Prolonged storage of osteochondral allograft yielded safe, effective outcomes
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Prolonged storage of osteochondral allograft tissue prior to transplantation in large osteochondral lesions of the knee proved to be as safe and effective as transplantation of early release grafts, according to results.
William D. Bugbee , MD, and colleagues matched 75 patients who received early release osteochondral allografts between 1997 and 2002 with 75 patients who received late release osteochondral allografts from 2002 to 2008. Researchers evaluated pain, satisfaction, function, failures and reoperations using the modified Merle d’Aubigné-Postel scale, IKDC form and Knee Society function scale. Researchers defined clinical failure as revision osteochondral allograft transplantation or conversion to arthroplasty.
Results showed 25.3% and 12% of patients experienced osteochondral lesion failure in the early release group and late release group, respectively. Researchers noted a 5-year survivorship of 85% in the early release group and 90% in the late release group. Both groups reported high satisfaction rates with the results of the osteochondral allograft. Results showed improvements in pain and function on all outcome measures from preoperative measures to latest follow-up.
“The increasing popularity and utilization of these fresh osteochondral allografts has necessitated an evolution of recovery, processing and storage protocols in order to provide more grafts to orthopedic surgeons and their patients. The question of how long fresh allografts can safely be stored and not adversely affect clinical performance is therefore important,” Bugbee told Healio.com/Orthopedics. “This study should provide the orthopedic community some reassurance that implanting allografts stored less than 28 days using contemporary surgical techniques is safe and effective. Nonetheless, continued efforts should be made to enhance graft viability and improve clinical success.” – by Casey Tingle
Disclosures: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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