LIMB SALVAGE WITH OSTEOARTICULAR ALLOGRAFTS AFTER RESECTION OF PROXIMAL TIBIA BONE-TUMORS

A retrospective study was performed between 1980 and 1995 on 38 recipi ents of proximal tibial allografts after wide resection of benign and malignant tumors. Twenty-one (55%) patients experienced one or more co mplications. Of the 26 patients who received chemotherapy, 15 (58%) ex perienced one or more complications, whereas of the 12 patients who di d not receive chemotherapy, six (50%) experienced one or more complica tions, In the chemotherapy group, there were 12 (46%) fractures, four (15%) infections, three (12%) nonunions, and four (15%) instabilities. In the nonchemotherapy group there were three (25%) infections, two ( 17%) fractures, one (8%) instability, and one (8%) nonunion, These com plications were managed adequately with multiple subsequent surgical p rocedures. Three patients underwent amputations for deep wound infecti ons, Twelve (32%) patients underwent removal of the allograft, and the limb was salvaged by reallografting or by total knee arthroplasty, Th e results of both groups were 66% (25 of 38 patients) satisfactory (go od or excellent), The chemotherapy group had a significantly higher in cidence of fractures. All other complication rates and functional outc omes were not significantly different between these groups.