|
Frequently Asked Questions GENERAL
When is a bone transplant necessary?
Bone is commonly used in Orthopaedics, Reconstructive, Neuro, Dental and Plasticsurgery to restore function lost as a result of injury or disease. Bone tissue is used to fill a void created by trauma or cancer. This bone takes the place of diseased bone, or can stimulate new bone growth into the affected area. Tendons can be used to restore function to an injured limb. Other examples of application:
-
Many patients develop bone loss as a result of injury, joint replacement or arthritis. Allograft tissues allow the surgeon to rebuild this defect as a stage to functional rehabilitation.
-
In spinal fusions, allograft bone plays a very important role in supplementing the patient's own bone, usually taken from the hip area through a second incision, or by making it unnecessary to do such a second incision.
-
Many patients with tumours face possible amputation. By using large allografts surgeons are often able to save an affected limb. Many patients also require reconstruction. Allograft tissue affords surgeons the opportunity to reconstruct a nose, rebuild a jaw or reinforce a leg.
-
Periodontal disease affects the gums and bone which surrounds the teeth and provide support. As this disease progresses, defects occur and bone support is lost. Untreated, this may lead to tooth loss. Allograft tissue is used to supplement the existing bone in the damaged area and to provide proper support for teeth.
Bone or tissue transplanted from one part of a person's body to another part of the same person's body is called an autograft. Bone or tissue transplanted from the body of one person to the body of another person is called an allograft. The term graft is commonly used to refer to either an allograft or an autograft.
Why is an allograft bone or soft tissue used?
Because of the inadequate amounts of available autograft (a person's own bone or soft tissue), and the limited size and shape of a person's own bone. Autograft also requires additional surgery to the same patient.
What happens to the bone graft after transplantation?
Once the transplanted bone graft is accepted by the body, it is slowly converted into new living bone tissue and incorporated into the body as a functional unit.
What type of screening occurs?
Before donation, all potential donors must undergo strict screening scrutiny that includes physical examination, comprehensive medical history, and social risk review. A detailed medical history that includes social risk background and medical issues is obtained. The information collected on potential donors is compared against criteria established by the CTE to identify and exclude potential high risk individuals. Furthermore, all tissue is held in quarantine until microbiological and blood tests are completed. These tests include analysis of infectious diseases including HIV, hepatitis B and C, and syphilis.
There are several factors that render donated allograft tissue unsuitable for transplantation. Anyone of the following would disqualify a potential donor:
How is the bone recovered from the donor?
Trained specialist technicians retrieve the tissue and reconstruct the limbs to its original form according to very strict standard operation procedures.
How safe is the tissue?
Preparing the tissue for transplant begins with the removal of debris and organic matter. The allograft is then soaked in various solutions to achieve sanitation and cleanliness. Processing and packaging are performed using sterile techniques in clean room conditions to maintain biological integrity. Gamma irradiation is used to achieve sterilization. Final processed tissues are tested for microbiological contamination in accordance with strict quality standards. Although there is some theoretical risk for disease transmission, the use of allografts that have undergone rigorous donor screening, serological testing and formal processing has significantly reduced this risk.
|
