40 years of tissue banking in Estonia.

A survey is given of the development of tissue banking in Estonia during 40 years, in which we address methods of tissue preservation, application of preserved skeletal tissues in orthopaedics as well as issues of clinical and experimental research in this area. Preparation and use of demineralized and morselized bone allografts has been significant during the last ten years. Progress of endoprosthetic joint surgery has essentially increased the need for bone transplantation in orthopaedics.