A simplified protocol for banking bone from surgical donors requiring a 90-day quarantine and an HIV-1 antibody test.

The banking of femoral heads from patients who undergo total hip arthroplasty provides a valuable resource for orthopedic surgery. Quality assurance of the banked bone used in clinical procedures requires documented policies for screening, procuring, storing and distributing. Potential donors are screened at the time of donation for malignant disease, possible communicable disease, sepsis and high-risk life-styles. After negative culture results are confirmed and appropriate documentation has been completed, the bone is frozen at -70 degrees C. A quarantine period of 90 days follows. The donor is followed up 90 days or more postoperatively. At that time written consent is obtained for donation of the recovered tissue to the bone bank and for serology testing for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) antibody, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAG), hepatitis B core antibody (HBcAb) and syphilis, and the donor is rescreened for contraindications. This protocol meets or exceeds all existing standards. The combination of obtaining consent and serology testing at 90 days streamlines the logistics of banking bone from surgical donors.

Evaluation of the semi-automated Autosperm semen analysis system. I. Accuracy and comparison with the conventional method and the automated Hamilton-Thorn system.

The accuracy of measurements by the semi-automated Autosperm (Amsaten N.V.S.A. Corp., DePinte, Belgium) semen analysis system was assessed by recounting and manually tracking sperm recorded on videotape during analysis of 51 ejaculates. Mean inaccuracies in the analysis of sperm concentration and percentage motility were 15% and 22%, respectively. Measurements of sperm movement characteristics relied on the skill of the operator and discrepancies (means around 10%, maximum 57% to 184%) depended on the straightness of sperm paths. Although less expensive than the fully automated system, semen analysis by Autosperm is a subjective and labor-intensive method. Furthermore in comparison, data obtained using Autosperm also provide less information, and agreements of matched data with those obtained by the conventional methods were not significantly better.

Evaluation of the semi-automated Autosperm semen analysis system. II. Comparison with conventional method, time-exposure photomicrography, and automated CellSoft system.

Semen analysis results obtained by a recently developed semi-automated Autosperm system (Amsaten N.V.S.A. Corp., De Pinte, Belgium) were compared with those obtained by the conventional, time-exposure photomicrographic, and automated CellSoft system (Cryo Resources Inc., New York, NY) analyses. The Autosperm system either over- or underestimated the sperm concentration in comparison with the conventional analysis and more often underestimated the sperm concentration in comparison with the automated CellSoft system analysis. Comparison of the results for percent sperm motility by the conventional and Autosperm analyses showed that the latter tended to underestimate the percentage of fast-swimming spermatozoa and overestimate the percentage of slow-swimming spermatozoa. There were considerable variations in the measurement of sperm movement characteristics between the Autosperm and time-exposure photomicrographic and automated CellSoft system analyses, respectively. These findings demonstrate that the performance of the Autosperm system does not agree well with those of the currently available methods employed in the present study. Part of the disagreement in measurements of sperm parameters could be because of the subjective elements inherent in the semi-automated Autosperm analysis.

Temperature variations in eyebank containers: comparative study of corneal transport containers and packing methods.

Two containers ("Iowa" and "Virginia") commonly used for transporting donor corneas, and various packing methods were evaluated for constancy of temperature maintenance. The larger Iowa container was found to be superior for extended storage. Packing methods that allowed the vials (containing McCarey-Kaufman medium) to be in direct contact with wet ice or with ice water resulted in the best cooling. Direct contact with supercooled ice may cause freezing of the medium. Separating the vials from the ice water slush by dry foam rubber or Styrofoam did not allow adequate cooling. Heat sealing the vials in a plastic bag containing minimal air permitted proper cooling and may reduce the risk of contamination from the ice water.

Transplantation of osteochondral allografts.

Osteochondral allografts represent an alternative source of satisfactory tissue for reconstruction of skeletal deficits associated with traumatic, degenerative, and neoplastic disorders of the skeleton. Methods of banking (donor selection, tissue removal and preservation) have been developed that are compatible with long-term storage of bacteriologically safe and biologically effective bone and cartilage grafts. Immune responses to graft-associated antigens have been evaluated, but their biological significance remains unknown. The use of massive osteochondral allografts in limb-sparing approaches to the treatment of bone tumors has been particularly rewarding. Provided that the lesion is appropriately resected, the graft is properly implanted and protected, and infection is avoided, good and excellent clinical results can be anticipated in 75-80% of the cases.