RESECTED ALLOGRAFT BONE CONTAINING AN IMPLANTED EXPANDED POLYTETRAFLUOROETHYLENE PROSTHETIC LIGAMENT - COMPARISON OF PARAFFIN, GLYCOLMETHACRYLATE, AND EXACT GRINDING TECHNIQUES

As the numbers and diversity of orthopedic prosthetic devices increase and the service life of implants nears expiration, surgical pathology laboratories can expect to receive specimens containing softer polymeric materials such as the expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) comprising the Gore-Tex Cruciate Ligament Prosthesis. This report suggests a systematic approach to the processing of a surgically resected bone specimen that may contain such biomaterial. Suggestions for specimen documentation include photography specimen radiography. Protocols for decalcified paraffin processing and for undecalcified polymer processing in glycolmethacrylate and the Exakt grinding system are reviewed with consideration for the needs of both the clinical and research aspects of specimen management.