Abstract
Objective To evaluate and compare the osteointegration of irradiated and non-irradiated frozen
bone grafts used in 21 patients undergoing revision hip arthroplasty procedures with
the Exeter technique.
Methods A retrospective study of 21 patients undergoing revision hip arthroplasty with the
Exeter technique using bone tissues treated or not with gamma radiation between 2013
and 2014. The patients were divided into two groups according to the use of grafts
treated or not with ionizing radiation (gamma rays); as such, these groups were classified
as irradiated or non-irradiated. The osteointegration results determined by radiographic
analysis of these grafts were compared in the postoperative period of 6 and 12 months.
Results Comparing the graft osteointegration in all patients at 6 and 12 months postoperatively,
we noticed a significant difference in the radiographic evaluations in this period
(p = 0.031). Out of the patients studied, 7 were from the irradiated group, and 14 belonged
to the non-irradiated group. No statistically significant differences were observed
(p = 0.804) regarding osteointegration when we compared the irradiated and non-irradiated
groups.
Conclusion There was no significant difference in the use of irradiated or non-irradiated grafts
in revision hip arthroplasty procedures with the Exeter technique.
Keywords
osteointegration - tissue bank - bone grafts - arthroplasty
