**5. Our experience**

In the last five years, we have performed 35 knee ligament reconstructions, including multiple ligament, and isolated ACL and PCL reconstructions with single and double bundle techniques, and ACL reviews. Twenty seven men and eight women underwent surgery with the employment of the following grafts from the tissue bank: anterior tibial tendon (48 units), patellar tendon (4 units), quadriceptal tendon (5 units), semitendinosus tendon (4 units), calcaneus tendon (1 units) and fibular tendon (1 units). The patients followup range from 6 to 57 months and we are still collecting data from this cases. Our first results showed that there no viral or bacterial infection associated to the use of allografts in any of the cases or other complications, and clinical outcome of these patients has shown good results with the use of tendons from the tissue bank.

A study conducted in another service, in which we colaborate, revised the records of 46 patients who were submitted to ligament reconstructions between 1999 and 2007 using grafts supplied by the same tissue bank (Damasceno et al., 2009). Thirty-four male patients and 12 female patients were reviewed, with follow-up time ranging from 10 months to 9 years (mean: 3.1 years).The surgical procedures used 9 units of patellar tendons, 9 units of anterior tibial tendons, 8 units of calcaneal tendons, 6 units quadriceptal tendons and 1 unit of fibular tendon, mainly for multiple ligamentar reconstructions and ACL reviews41. There were also no viral or bacterial infection cases41.

The decrease in morbidity and postoperative complications allied to good results obtained in our samples reinforces the idea that the use of allografts is a good and safe option in knee ligament reconstruction.

### **6. References**

Albert, A; Leemrijse, T; Druez, V; Delloye, C; Cornu, O. (2006) Are bone autografts still necessary in 2006? A three-year retrospective study of bone grafting. *Acta Orthop Belg,* 72, 734-40. ISSN 0001-6462.

examinations are assessed and ultimately released by the Technical Director of the Tissue

Besides examinations, evaluation of the printed record of temperature during the storage period is considered. The temperature oscillations are quickly detected and reported to the team members from the BTME even remotely by cell phones. In addition, audible alarms at strategic points in the hospital and the presence of CO2 backups, ensure system reliability. After the release of each lot, the nurses carry a detailed examination of integrity of each tissue during the replacement of tissues in analysis labels to released labels and posterior transfer of the sector. The logistics of storage of tissues in ultrafreezers considers the type of

We emphasize that for a rigorous quality control all steps of each procedure are carried out through check-lists with double checking and approval.All relevant data of the donor or lot

A serum bank with plasma samples of donors are offered by BTME if necessary examination

In the last five years, we have performed 35 knee ligament reconstructions, including multiple ligament, and isolated ACL and PCL reconstructions with single and double bundle techniques, and ACL reviews. Twenty seven men and eight women underwent surgery with the employment of the following grafts from the tissue bank: anterior tibial tendon (48 units), patellar tendon (4 units), quadriceptal tendon (5 units), semitendinosus tendon (4 units), calcaneus tendon (1 units) and fibular tendon (1 units). The patients followup range from 6 to 57 months and we are still collecting data from this cases. Our first results showed that there no viral or bacterial infection associated to the use of allografts in any of the cases or other complications, and clinical outcome of these patients has shown

A study conducted in another service, in which we colaborate, revised the records of 46 patients who were submitted to ligament reconstructions between 1999 and 2007 using grafts supplied by the same tissue bank (Damasceno et al., 2009). Thirty-four male patients and 12 female patients were reviewed, with follow-up time ranging from 10 months to 9 years (mean: 3.1 years).The surgical procedures used 9 units of patellar tendons, 9 units of anterior tibial tendons, 8 units of calcaneal tendons, 6 units quadriceptal tendons and 1 unit of fibular tendon, mainly for multiple ligamentar reconstructions and ACL reviews41. There

The decrease in morbidity and postoperative complications allied to good results obtained in our samples reinforces the idea that the use of allografts is a good and safe option in knee

Albert, A; Leemrijse, T; Druez, V; Delloye, C; Cornu, O. (2006) Are bone autografts still

necessary in 2006? A three-year retrospective study of bone grafting. *Acta Orthop* 

records are filed in a single file and stored at the BTME for a minimum of 25 years.

good results with the use of tendons from the tissue bank.

were also no viral or bacterial infection cases41.

*Belg,* 72, 734-40. ISSN 0001-6462.

ligament reconstruction.

**6. References** 

Bank.

tissue and speed up the search.

of counterproof.

**5. Our experience** 


**Part 2** 

**Human Asisited** 

**Reproduction Techniques (ART)** 

