Establishing a bone bank in developing countries

Bone allografts are now an important instrument in the handling of numerous orthopedic surgical procedures. Establishing local tissue banks, able to procure, preserve and distribute bone tissues, allows the surgeons to avoid the procurement of an autograft and the important related morbidity. The missions of a tissue establishment are described and recommendations for donor selection, graft procurement and processing are done. Sawing the bone fragments in small pieces and morselisation with a surgical rongeur allow bone marrow removal with saline and alcohol. Sterilisation by autoclaving can be performed insuring a great safety. Processed bone allografts are very useful in treating bone defects observed in benign tumors, traumatology and to obliterate dead space and deliver local antibiotics in osteomyelitis.