Allograft replacement in limb salvage surgery for bone tumors.

A retrospective study of a series of eleven patients with active, aggressive benign and malignant bone tumors who were treated by radical resection and massive match-sized allograft replacement was reviewed. There were seven giant cell tumors and four osteosarcoma cases involving mainly either the lower end of the femur or upper end of the tibia. The age of the patients ranged from 11 to 50 years. As the follow-up period was rather short, ranging from 9 to 60 months, the patients are all still alive. Complications included two infections, one local recurrence, and two with resorption of the articular surface of the osteoarticular graft. Though psychosocial benefit was gained in patients with this limb salvage procedure, functional evaluation did not yield a satisfactory result.