Reconstruction with autologous pasteurized whole knee joint I: experimental study in a rabbit model

Hyperthermia-treated bone has been used for skeletal reconstruction after resection of malignant bone tumors, and more favorable results have been seen after pasteurization than after autoclaving or boiling. Pasteurization destroys malignant cells while preserving the bone-inducing property. All previous experimental models have studied replantation of bone segments, but reconstruction of joints is more important clinically. We studied the effects of extracorporeal hyperthermia on the reintegration of autologous whole knee joint grafts over a period of 16 weeks in a rabbit model. The whole knee joint was resected from 32 animals, heat-treated at 65 degrees C for 30 min, and replanted. In the control group, resection and replantation were performed without heat treatment. Reintegration was assessed by macroscopic analysis, histology, histochemistry, and radiography. Reintegration of the pasteurized group showed excellent remodeling during the 16 weeks, similar to the control groups. Responses to the pasteurization and the subsequent reintegration of cartilage, menisci, and ligaments were similar at 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks with no significant difference between the two groups, although cartilage degradation seemed to occur earlier in the study group than in the control group. These results suggest that pasteurization may be superior to other cell-lethal treatments for autotransplantation of the whole joint currently available.