Comparison of Surface Area across the Allograft-Host Junction Site Using Conventional and Navigated Osteotomy Technique.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-18-2012

Comments

This article has been peer reviewed. It was published in: Sarcoma.

Volume 2012, 2012, Article number 197540.

The published version is available at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3539445/. DOI: 10.1155/2012/197540.

Copyright © 2012 Ajay Lall et al.

Abstract

Bulk allograft reconstruction plays an important role in limb-salvage surgery; however, non-union has been reported in up to 27% of cases. The purpose of this study is to quantify average surface contact areas across simulated intraoperative osteotomies using both free-hand and computer-assisted navigation techniques. Pressure-sensitive paper was positioned between two cut ends of a validated composite sawbone and compression was applied using an eight-hole large fragment dynamic compression plate. Thirty-two samples were analyzed for surface area contact to determine osteotomy congruity. Mean contact area using the free-hand osteotomy technique was equal to 0.21 square inches. Compared with a control of 0.69 square inches, average contact area was found to be 30.5% of optimal surface contact. Mean contact area using computer-assisted navigation was equal to 0.33 square inches. Compared with a control of 0.76 square inches, average contact area was found to be 43.7% of optimal surface contact. Limited contact achieved using standard techniques may play a role in the high rate of observed non-union, and an increase in contact area using computer-assisted navigation may improve rates of bone healing. The development of an oncology software package and navigation hardware may serve an important role in decreasing non-union rates in limb salvage surgery.

PubMed ID

23319879

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