The results of bone-allograft reconstruction after the resection of
giant-cell tumor close to the knee were reviewed in fifty-two patients
(fifty-five allografts), who had been followed for a mean of seven years
(range, two to twenty-four years). One giant-cell tumor was graded as stage
1; twenty, as stage 2; and thirty-one, as stage 3. Three reconstructions
were repeated transplants that were done after the failure of a previous
transplant. Ten allograft reconstructions were intercalary and were
combined with an arthrodesis of the knee, and forty-five were
osteoarticular. Major complications included infection (after three
reconstructions), resorption of the graft (six), collapse of the articular
surface (two), fracture (two), and recurrence (one). According to the
criteria described by Mankin et al. for functional analysis, forty-two (76
per cent) of the extremities had a result that was considered to be
excellent or good. Radiographic evaluation according to the system of the
Musculoskeletal Tumor Society showed a mean score of 72 per cent for
osteoarticular reconstructions, and of 86 per cent for intercalary
reconstructions.