Regional programs for surgical bone banking.

The findings of a survey of 12 regional programs engaged in collection, storage, and distribution of surgical bone grafts are described in this report. In approximately one year, 1944 grafts (mostly femoral heads) were collected. The overall discard rate for the grafts was 30%. An unacceptable medical history, and laboratory evidence of positive screening tests for hepatitis B surface antigen and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antibodies accounted for 34.0%, 3.4%, and 1.2% of the discard rate, respectively. Eighty-seven percent of the grafts were used for three surgical procedures, i.e., revision hip surgery, spinal fusions, and treatment of nonunited fractures. The practices and experiences of the regional program described in this report of surgical bone collection and transplantation appear to be similar to those previously described for the community-hospital-based institutional programs. Regional programs represent an alternative approach to institutional programs in surgical bone banking.