HISTOLOGICAL FEATURES OF LARGE BONE ALLOGRAFTS

We performed biopsies during reoperation for minor complications in tw o active young patients 9 and 19 months after massive bone allograft i mplantation for bone tumour, The grafts were dead and resorption-appos ition activity, when present, was predominantly in subperiosteal areas . Inflammatory infiltration was very seldom found, Features considered as 'microfractures' or 'microcracks' were noted in the cortical ring together with the formation of woven bone, in areas with remodelling, Such cracks are likely to be of mechanical origin and do not inevitabl y lead to complications.