Page 154 - Reconstructive Techniques in Musculoskeletal Tumor Surgery

Chapter 7
The use of osteoarticular allografts for reconstruction of large joints may have been justi able in the past, when endoprostheses were associated with high rates of mechanical failure. Due to marked advances in endoprosthetic design, it appears that metallic implants have largely replaced biological implants as the technique of choice for reconstruction of articular defects. Possibly, osteoarticular allografts are a reasonable solution for patients in whom only a small part of the articulating structure has to be resected or, given the unpredictable results of expanding prostheses66, joint reconstruction in the growing child or teenagers. Although comparative studies with alternative techniques are scarce, the risk of mechanical failure in our opinion does not justify routine employment of osteoarticular allografts for reconstruction of large joints after tumor resection.
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