Use of musculoskeletal allografts has become increasingly popular, with widespread use among knee surgeons. The advantages and disadvantages of their use have been documented. In the knee, allografts are used for ligament reconstruction, meniscal transplantation, and articular surface reconstruction. The purpose of this review is to present issues surrounding the allograft industry, including regulation of tissues and tissue banks and procurement, processing, sterilization, and storage of allograft tissue. Tissue bank regulation is ultimately under the jurisdiction and authority of the Food and Drug Administration; some individual states regulate tissue banks. The American Association of Tissue Banks is a scientific organization that encourages education, research, and voluntary accreditation of tissue banks. It promotes safety and standards for retrieval, processing, storage, and distribution of transplantable human tissue. Allograft tissues are generally harvested and processed aseptically, which may not prevent contamination. Tissue sterilization is difficult and controversial. Tissue banks historically have used one of two methods of sterilization, ethylene oxide or gamma radiation. Both methods have risks and benefits. Newer methods of sterilization are being developed. Allograft tissue that is not transplanted fresh can be freeze-dried or deep frozen for storage. Ultimately, allograft transplantation in the knee facilitates knee form and function and enhances the patient's quality of life. Orthopaedic surgeons who use allograft tissue must understand the tissue banking process to provide safe and effective tissues to their patients.

Sternal wound dehiscence and infection are major problems for patients and health care providers. A range of risk factors, including diabetes, obesity and internal thoracic artery harvest, has been implicated. Several pathophysiological mechanisms, which may account for the development of infection, have been proposed. There is a growing body of evidence which suggests that sternal ischaemia may play a significant role in the initiation of wound infection, and that this may be exacerbated by harvest of the internal thoracic artery. Current treatments for infection include wound debridement, irrigation and tissue flap reconstruction. In addition, several novel therapies such as negative pressure dressings have been shown to be safe and useful. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy - the administration of 100% oxygen at pressures greater than atmospheric pressure - is widely used in the treatment of various chronic wounds. The mechanism whereby hyperbaric oxygen exerts its effects is being elucidated and there is a growing body of clinical evidence that supports its use. It has been suggested that there may be a role for hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the treatment of sternal infection. The theoretical mechanisms would seem plausible, but at present there is only limited evidence to support its use. This review addresses the theory and evidence supporting the role of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the treatment of sternal wound infection.

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30 days is extremely important. It is unjustified to apply published results to other units unassociated with said publications. Over the last two decades, most specialist units have found a stroke/death risk in symptomatic patients of approximately 2% validated by neurologists. This comprises 0% ipsilateral stroke, but with MI death, contralateral stroke and cerebral haemorrhage from reperfusion, contributing to the overall 2%.In the UK, with league tables now in fashion, if would be useful for patients and doctors alike, if carotid endarterectomies were publicly audited and published as they were last year for aortic aneurysm repair.

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