[Massive allogeneic cortical transplants in therapy of primary and secondary bone tumors]

From 1981 to 1995, 22 patients received intercalary bone allografts for reconstruction of the extremity after en bloc tumor resection (16 malignant, six benign lesions). Solid union of the graft-host sites within 15 months occurred in 86%. The overall survival rate of patients with high-grade lesions was four of seven and with low-grade lesions eight of nine after 4.5 years. Despite the high complication rate of 42%, intercalary bone allografts provide a valuable solution for reconstruction of the extremity after tumor resection in long bones.