Multi-variety bone bank in China

Barriers to the Development and Sustainability of Bone Banking Programs in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review

Purpose: The number of bone allograft transplantations required in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is growing very quickly. No previous study has investigated the challenges clinical banks face to sustain operations or meet this demand. The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic review of the barriers to implementation and sustainability of clinical bone tissue banks in LMICs. Barriers identified in clinical bone banking can shed light on strategies for overcoming obstacles in other biobanking programs. Methods: A systematic review protocol was registered with PROSPERO under identification number CRD42019136045. LMIC was defined using World Bank criteria. A search strategy targeting PubMed, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), and the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Health Library was used. Studies from the inception of bone banking until June 4, 2019, that discussed an identifiable barrier to bone banking were included. Study quality was assessed using The Critical Appraisals Skills Programme (CASP) Qualitative Checklist. Results: Of studies identified, 33 studies were included in the final analysis. Based on the full-text review, the primary barriers identified were lack of regulation, low donor rates, and insufficient training and staffing. CASP analysis performed on the 24 qualitative articles showed an average of 3.6 qualitative measurements met. Conclusions: As international organizations such as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) restructure their participation in global bone banking regulation, these barriers such as lack of regulation, low donor rates, and insufficient training and staffing could pose a challenge to meeting the rising demand for bone transplantation in LMICs. Articles with higher quality evidence are needed to better define barriers and propose evidence-based solutions.

Bone Xenografts in Trauma and Orthopaedics (Analytical Review)

Purpose of the analytical review — to evaluate the application experience of bone xenografts in trauma and orthopaedics surgery. Methods. Data search was performed in the electronic databases of PubMed and eLIBRARY with depth of 20 years. Results. The authors identified 13 papers which described the application experience of bone xenografts in trauma surgery and orthopaedics. The highest efficiency (from 92 to 100%) was reported for cases of xenografts use to replace defects in intraarticular fractures and revision arthroplasty. Unsatisfactory outcomes were related to cases with no integration and graft rejection. The least efficiency (from 41,9 to 46,1%) was reported in reconstructive foot surgery. No effect of bone xenografts was observed for replacement of defects in cases of pseudoarthrosis. The most frequent complication was graft material infection. The summarized literature data provided the calculated share of complications following xenograft use of 7,53% (18 out of 239 cases, CI 5-95%, 4,53-11,21). Two areas were identified for improvement of technical and biological properties of bone xenografts: 1. Modification of original xeno-matrix (enhancement of purification technique, alteration of structure of chemical composition of the bone matrix); 2. Augmentation of matrix volume by additional elements (biologically active agents, stem cells). It’s noted that demand for xenografts in traumatology and orthopaedics can increase after refining and expanding the indications for clinical use. Conclusion. Bone xenografts used in the modern trauma surgery and orthopaedics to replace bone defects in revision arthroplasty as well as in certain fracture types. Such material is relatively safe and its ability to be modified allows to improve its biological properties.

Chinese biobanks: present and future

As the demands of scientific research and application for specimens increase rapidly, biobanks in China have been springing up over the recent years. This paper summarizes Chinese biobanks through investigation and survey on operative, managerial, ethical conditions and challenges of biobanks. At present, hospitals and research institutes in China set up and operate most of the biobanks, collecting human specimens to support clinical and scientific research. With the development of bio-industry and arrival of the big data era, biobanks need not only collect and store human and non-human specimens but also to manage the big data associated with these specimens.

Surgical technique: Unicondylar osteoallograft prosthesis composite in tumor limb salvage surgery

BACKGROUND

After resecting tumors confined to one femoral condyle, a unicondylar osteoarticular allograft can be used for reconstruction without sacrificing the uninvolved condyle. However, unicondylar osteoarticular allografts have been associated with a high rate of joint degeneration. We describe a unicondylar osteoallograft prosthesis composite reconstruction replacing only one side of the joint to reduce compartment degeneration and avoid contamination of the tibia, but the survival, function, and complications of a unicondylar osteoallograft prosthesis composite are unclear.

DESCRIPTION OF TECHNIQUE

We located a bone resection plane intraoperatively as planned before surgery using a computer-assisted navigation system. The tumor then was removed en bloc and the unicondylar defect filled with a size-matched allogeneic unicondyle. The allograft cartilage was removed. Thereafter, the condyle of the femoral component was resurfaced with a unicompartmental knee prosthesis to form a unicondylar osteoallograft prosthesis composite, however the tibia was left undisturbed. Navigation allowed precise apposition between the unicondylar osteoallograft prosthesis composite and host bone to ensure mechanical alignment and congruency of the joint surface before fixation with a plate.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 12 patients who underwent unicondylar osteoallograft prosthesis composite reconstructions after unicondylar resection for tumors. One patient died from tumor-related causes without unicondylar osteoallograft prosthesis composite failure after 18 months. We observed the survival rate of unicondylar osteoallograft prosthesis composite reconstruction and related complications. Function and radiographs also were documented according to the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) functional scoring system and the International Society of Limb Salvage radiographic scoring system. The minimum followup was 8 months (median, 37 months; range, 8-65 months).

RESULTS

At last followup, 10 of the 12 unicondylar osteoallograft prosthesis composite reconstructions were still in place. Three reconstructions failed owing to two local recurrences (both treated with amputation) and there was one infection (treated with revision and maintenance of the implant at last followup). The average MSTS functional score at last followup was 27 points and the radiographic score 91%.

CONCLUSIONS

Our observations suggest unicondylar osteoallograft prosthesis composite reconstruction might be a reliable technique with relatively few major complications and at least short-term maintenance of the tibial cartilage.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, therapeutic study. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.