Abstract
Transplantation of bone and tissue allografts is a commonly performed surgical procedure made possible by the development of tissue banks and the wide availability of transplants. Knowledge of the principles of tissue banking and understanding the advantages and risks of musculoskeletal allograft transplantation allows surgeons to make rational decisions about whether a particular patient should or should not receive such transplants.
Bone allografts excised aseptically are preserved by freeze-drying, rapid freezing or by controlled velocity freezing in the presence of cryoprotective agents. Bone and tissue allografts excised without aseptic precautions are, in addition, subjected to secondary sterilization by ionizing radiation or by expo sure to ethylene oxide gas. Irradiation and, to a lesser degree, ethylene oxide alters biological properties of allografts.
Although disease transmission with tissue allografts has been reported, allografts from adequately screened and studied cadaver donors are safe.