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Aseptically Processed Allograft Implantation: A Safe Strategy for Knee Ligament Reconstructions
Chilan B G Leite1, João M N Montechi1, Gilberto L Camanho1
1Instituto de Ortopedia e Traumatologia, Hospital das Clinicas, HCFMUSP - Hospital das Clinicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
The Journal of Knee Surgery
|October 5, 2021
Summary
Aseptic processing of allografts for knee ligament reconstruction shows a low postoperative infection rate of 1.7%. This study confirms that aseptically processed allografts are a safe option for patients needing extra graft material.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Infectious Disease
- Biomaterials Science
Background:
- Postoperative infections following allograft implantation in knee ligament reconstructions pose significant risks.
- Concerns include potential disease transmission and the severity of such infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the postoperative infection rate in knee ligament reconstructions using aseptically processed allografts.
- To provide an overview of allograft utilization in a tertiary academic hospital.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective study analyzed 180 patients undergoing knee ligament reconstructions with aseptically processed allografts from 2005 to 2018.
- Data collected included demographic information, injury details, and postoperative outcomes, focusing on infections.
- Infected cases underwent further analysis for symptoms, causative microorganisms, infection timing, and graft removal necessity.
Main Results:
- A total of 262 allografts were implanted in 180 patients; 7 cases (3.9%) developed postoperative infections.
- The allograft-related infection rate was 1.7%.
- High-energy trauma was the only statistically significant factor associated with infection (p=0.04).
Conclusions:
- Nonirradiated, aseptically processed allografts demonstrate a low postoperative infection rate in knee ligament reconstructions.
- These allografts represent a safe alternative for procedures requiring additional graft sources, variety, or quantity.
