Allograft reconstruction in malignant bone tumors: indications and limits.

Advances in imaging studies and the growing effectiveness of chemotherapy have enabled musculoskeletal tumor surgeons to narrow their margins and employ limb-salvage surgery as the preferred method for managing bone sarcoma. The reconstructive options available to orthopedic oncologists range from allograft transplantation to endoprosthetic reconstruction to a combination of both. Bone allograft transplantation offers a biologic reconstruction that can restore bone stock and joint kinematics, while sparing the opposing articular surface. This chapter will discuss the limitations, complications, survival rates, and indications for using bone allografts.