32 Good experience with a local allograft bank for musculoskeletal tissue – a 10-year status

• Published in: BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine 2024-02, Vol.10 (Suppl 1), p.A12-A12
• Main Authors: Azkia, Helia, Harritshøj, Lene Holm, Nielsen, Connie, Agerlin, Niels, Jensen, Mette Gotlieb, Andersen, Pia Charlotte, Krogsgaard, Michael
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Blood & organ donations; Cartilage; Ligaments; Tendinopathy and Testing
• ISSN: 2055-7647
• DOI: 10.1136/bmjsem-2024-sportskongres2024.32

IntroductionTreatment of knee multiligament injury, revision ligament surgery, meniscus transplantation and advanced cartilage procedures is based on availability of allogenic connective tissue (grafts). A local tissue bank was established in 2014, and the 10-year experience with this bank is reported.Materials & MethodsThe allograft bank was connected to an existing organ donor program. Age limit for donors was set to 50 years for tendons, 40 years for menisci and 30 years for hyaline cartilage. Tissue is handled and stored immediately, fresh frozen to -80 degrees Celsius (except hyaline cartilage, which is stored at 5 degrees Celsius). The donor is tested for contagious disease and the grafts are microbiologically cultured. With all results negative, the grafts are released. When thawed before use a swap is cultured.ResultsSince June 2014 there has been 31 donations, resulting in 1160 grafts. 40 grafts (3.4%) had a positive bacteria culture and were discarded. Until April 2023, 552 recipients have been treated by use of these allografts: 175 knee multi-ligament reconstructions (Rs), 226 revision ligament Rs, 44 meniscal transplantations, 18 fresh cartilage transplantations and 81 other operations. All grafts had negative bacterial cultures in swaps obtained before thawing, and there were no recorded transplantation related complications. The expenses for local grafts were 20-25% of the price for grafts obtained from foreign banks.ConclusionThrough the established donation program it has been possible to secure optimal treatment for a number of highly specialized musculoskeletal conditions with high quality grafts and minimal costs.