Massive bone allografts in children.

A group of ten children and adolescents with malignant bone tumours (eight osteosarcomas, two Ewing's tumours) were treated with chemotherapy and resection with allograft reconstruction. Intercalary grafts were used in three cases and terminal osteoarticular grafts at the knee in seven. The mean follow up was 22 months. Functional results were satisfactory, but there were some complications related to the graft. Although these are early results, we believe that the method is justified and is preferable to the use of an endoprosthesis, particularly in children.