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Effect of low dose and moderate dose gamma irradiation on the mechanical properties of bone and soft tissue allografts

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Abstract

The increased use of allograft tissue for musculoskeletal repair has brought more focus to the safety of allogenic tissue and the efficacy of various sterilization techniques. Gamma irradiation is an effective method for providing terminal sterilization to biological tissue, but it is also reported to have deleterious effects on tissue mechanics in a dose-dependent manner. At irradiation ranges up to 25 kGy, a clear relationship between mechanical strength and dose has yet to be established. The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanical properties of bone and soft tissue allografts, irradiated on dry ice at a low absorbed dose (18.3–21.8 kGy) and a moderate absorbed dose (24.0–28.5 kGy), using conventional compressive and tensile testing, respectively. Bone grafts consisted of Cloward dowels and iliac crest wedges, while soft tissue grafts consisted of patellar tendons, anterior tibialis tendons, semitendinosus tendons, and fascia lata. There were no statistical differences in mechanical strength or modulus of elasticity for any graft irradiated at a low absorbed dose, compared to control groups. Also, bone allografts and two soft tissue allografts (anterior tibialis and semitendinosus tendon) that were irradiated at a moderate dose demonstrated similar strength and modulus of elasticity values to control groups. The results of this study support the use of low dose and moderate dose gamma irradiation of bone grafts. For soft tissue grafts, the results support the use of low dose irradiation.

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Abbreviations

AATB:

American Association of Tissue Banks

ACL:

Anterior cruciate ligament

CDC:

Center for Disease Control

FDA:

Food and Drug Administration

HIV:

Human Immunodeficiency Virus

HCV:

Hepatitis C Virus

ICW:

Iliac crest wedge

NAT:

Nucleic acid testing

SAL:

Sterility assurance level

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research and Development, LifeNet Health, 1864 Concert Drive, Virginia Beach, VA, 23453, USA

    Colleen R. Balsly, Andrew T. Cotter, Lisa A. Williams, Barton D. Gaskins, Mark A. Moore & Lloyd Wolfinbarger Jr.

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  1. Colleen R. Balsly
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  2. Andrew T. Cotter
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  3. Lisa A. Williams
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  4. Barton D. Gaskins
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  5. Mark A. Moore
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  6. Lloyd Wolfinbarger Jr.
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Correspondence to Colleen R. Balsly.

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Balsly, C.R., Cotter, A.T., Williams, L.A. et al. Effect of low dose and moderate dose gamma irradiation on the mechanical properties of bone and soft tissue allografts. Cell Tissue Bank 9, 289–298 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10561-008-9069-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10561-008-9069-0

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