Luunsiirrot

Luunsiirrot are medical procedures that involve the transplantation or placement of bone tissue or bone-like substitutes to repair skeletal defects. The term derives from Finnish luu meaning bone and siirto meaning transfer, and is used in Finnish medical literature to describe autografts, allografts, xenografts, and synthetic bone substitutes employed in orthopedic, maxillofacial, and dental contexts.

In practice, luunsiirrot are used to address bone loss resulting from trauma, nonunions, defects after tumor resections, spinal fusion, tooth-implant site preparation, and certain congenital deformities. They aim to restore structural continuity, support healing, and enable normal load-bearing.

Graft options include autografts harvested from the patient, allografts obtained from a donor, xenografts derived from animals, and synthetic substitutes such as hydroxyapatite, beta-tricalcium phosphate, and calcium phosphate cements. Biologic enhancements, including growth factors and scaffolds, are sometimes used to promote integration and remodeling.

The procedure generally involves evaluation and imaging to determine defect size and vascularity, selection of graft type, harvesting if an autograft is used, shaping and placement of the graft, and fixation with plates, screws, or sutures to maintain stability during healing. Postoperative rehabilitation and restricted loading are important to outcomes.

Risks and complications can include infection, graft resorption or nonunion, donor-site morbidity for autografts, immune reaction with allografts, and graft displacement. Success depends on defect characteristics, vascular supply, mechanical stability, and patient health.

History and ongoing research emphasize the evolution of graft materials and the role of tissue engineering to enhance regeneration. See also bone graft, orthopedic surgery, and maxillofacial surgery.