Allograft bone is bone taken from cadaver, cleaned and sterilized.. It can come fresh, with intact cartilage, but more commonly it is dried. The dried allograft can come as crushed cancellus bone or as structural bone using the cortex. Obviously, allograft bone does not contain the usual osteoprogenitor cells and the bone morphogenic protein contained in fresh autograft bone. On the other hand, there is no pain or risk of infection at the donor site. studies have shown that allograft bone used in the cervical, lumbar and dorsal spine as well as in the feet and ankles is very effective in creating a fusion. Again it is obvious that proper tissue handling and testing techniques must be used to protect the recipient.
As a rule I only use sources for allograft bone who have been proven to a tear to the strictest standards. in my opinion allograft bone is more for the patient, and the results from the use of allograft bone are just as good as for autograft.. it is important however that the patient be informed of the risks benefits and alternatives of allograft versus autograft bone graft.
The use of fresh allograft allows grafting of cartilage cells which are able to survive the harvest storage and transplant process . This is a technical process which is valuable in some specific surgical situations, and has to be picked for selective cases
