This meta-analysis aimed to determine the bone union rate of bone defects treated with the different autologous bone graft techniques. The PubMed and the Cochrane Library databases were searched using the terms: ‘fracture’ AND (‘bone loss’ OR ‘defect’ OR ‘defects’) AND ‘bone graft’, restricted to English language, to human species, and to a publication period from January 1999 to November 2014. Data were extracted by one of the reviewers and then checked by the second. A quality of evidence score and a methodology score were used. Heterogeneity was assessed. A random effects model approach was used to combine estimates. Out of 376 selected studies only 34 met the inclusion criteria. The summary pooled union rate was 91 % (95 % CI: 87–95 %) while union rate after additional procedures raised to 98 % (95 % CI 96–99 %). No association between union rate and bone defect size was found. (Univariable regression model: vascularized: P = 0.677; non-vascularized: 0.202. Multivariable regression model: vascularized: P = 0.381; non-vascularized: P = 0.226). Vascularized graft was associated with a lower risk of infection after surgery when compared to non-vascularized graft (95 % CI 0.03 to 0.23, p < 0.001). The results of this meta-analysis demonstrate the effectiveness of autologous graft for bone defects. Furthermore, from the available clinical evidence bone defect size does not seem to have an impact on bone union when treated with autologous bone graft techniques.

To analyze clinical, radiographic and magnetic resonance findings that might predict risk of complications and conservative treatment failure of osteoporotic vertebral fractures.

Interest for uncemented total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has greatly increased in recent years. This technique, less used than cemented knee replacement in the last decades, sees a revival thanks an advance in prosthetic design, instrumentation and operative technique. The related literature in some cases shows conflicting data on survival and on the revision’s rate, but in most cases a success rate comparable to cemented TKA is reported. The optimal fixation in TKA is a subject of debate with the majority of surgeons favouring cemented fixation.