[Allogeneic humeral shaft transplantation with vascular anastomosis: twenty years follow-up].

OBJECTIVE

To sum up the clinical results of allogeneic humeral transplantation with vascular anastomosis, and evaluate the clinical significance.

METHODS

From September to November 1979, 1 case with humeral shaft defect of 10 cm in length and 2 cases with tibia shaft defect of 12 cm in length were repaired by allogeneic humeral transplantation with vascular anastomosis. Azathiopurine and prednisone were applied for 3 months postoperatively. All cases were followed up for 20 years.

RESULTS

Case 1 recovered well with good bone union and reconstruction after operation, and could work normally. In case 2, five chronic rejections were occurred during 3 years after operation, and recovered after treatment, the allograft bone was fractured after 2 years of operation, and unioned by autogeneous iliac bone transplantation. In case 3, the distal part of allograft bone was fractured after 46 months, and unioned by autogeneous iliac bone transplantation. The middle part of allograft bone was non-unioned after 20 years follow-up in case 3, but the patient could still work normally.

CONCLUSION

The clinical results of allogeneic long bone transplantation can be improved by rational tissue matching test, application of effective immunosuppressive drugs in a certain period according to the principles of modern transplantation immunology.