Author Description

Xenotransplantation is defined as any procedure that involves the infusion or implantation into a human of nonhuman animal tissue. Current medical research is focusing on tissue substitutes for treatment of a wide variety of human diseases and complications. In orthopedic surgery, many xenograft products for the treatment of musculoskeletal ailments have been extensively tested, with several products being approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. These products include substitutes for hard and soft tissue repair. Most xenografts in orthopedic surgery are of porcine or bovine originches Although risk of disease transmission remains a concern for xenotransplantation, studies show that disease transmission by xenograft is low. In this chapter, our goal is to discuss xenograft use in orthopedic surgery, explain the health risks involved in xenotransplantation, and explore current research in xenotransplantation.