Perceptions of allograft safety and efficacy among spinal deformity surgeons

Since current bone procurement and processing standards have been adopted, published studies have consistently shown that the risk of disease transmis sion from allo.-raft is small. The purpose of this study was to evaluate al lograft use and opinions regarding allograft safety during spinal deformity surgery. A postal survey was sent to 151 pediatric orthopaedists Chosen fr om a cross-referenced listing of active members of both the Scoliosis Resea rch Society and the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America. The sur vey consisted of six questions covering allograft use during idiopathic and neuromuscular scoliosis cases, concerns about disease transmission, preope rative counseling, concerns about providers, and evaluation of clinical res ults. The response rate was 80%. Allograft bone use was reported by 96% of those responding for neuromuscular cases and by 62% for idiopathic cases. I nfection (68%) and pseudoarthrosis (26%) were the most common topics mentio ned among the 41% who addressed potential risks. Variation was found in sur geons' perceptions regarding the safety and efficacy of allograft for scoli osis surgery.