BONE-GRAFTING AND BANKING

Cortical and cancellous bone grafting have become an important aspect of veterinary orthopedic surgery during the past 20 years. Cortical allografts are used to manage segmental bony defects and in limb salvage procedures for dogs with primary bone tumors. Cortical bone grafts are composed of dense, compact bone from the diaphyses of long bones; cortical bone is between 5% and 30% porous and is used when immediate structural support is necessary. A bone bank eliminates complications associated with finding a suitable donor when an allograft is needed and enables the clinician to be prepared for allograft transplantation in advance of surgery. After a bone bank is established, donor dogs can be used more efficiently because a single dog can provide grafts to multiple recipients. The need for a concurrent surgical procedure is eliminated; therefore, the total cost of surgery is reduced. Donors must be selected carefully to prevent transfer of infectious disease, must undergo complete physical examination and blood cell count, and must test negative for Brucella canis. Young, adult, large-breed dogs with a documented vaccination history are ideal candidates. Cortical bone segments can be preserved and stored by freezing, freeze-drying, or sterilization with ethylene oxide.