This book is the result of an international symposium on bone transplantation, the first of its kind, held in Berne, Switzerland, on May 14-16, 1987. This symposium brought together some of the most outstanding experts - from all over the world, principally from North America and Europe -in the clinical bone transplantation and in basic research. It was an unique opportunity to summarize in a few days the state of the art in this field and to bring clinicians who carry out some research related to their work together with basic scientists. The clinician can on the one hand profit from the basis researcher's knowledge and on the other stimulate the researcher to share the orthopedic surgeon's interest in osteo articular allografts. The book, like the symposium, contains two types of contributions: 1. Papers from invited experts who have often dedicated a significant part of their professional life to the subject of bone transplantation. Knowledge which would otherwise be scattered among original papers from many different sources, some of it less firmly established and therefore less well known, is thus collected together in one volume, so that the reader does not have to weed out a mass ofless important material. These chapters may for a certain time act as a textbook on bone transplantation, but inevitably will eventually be superseded by new findings. 2. Descriptions of current research in all the main subjects covered in the state of-the-art papers."

Dieter Grob It is the merit of the "Bone and Joint in view of the generally reduced Decade" to draw our attention with health situation of the involved - increased intensity to the problem of tients. The important role of the the changes related to aging of our biphosphonates in the treatment, and musculoskeletal system and the asso- perhaps even more so in the prev- ciated socioeconomic implications. tion, of osteoporosis is emphasized In view of the increasing age of the by Fleisch. worldwide population the impact Any successful surgical treatment seems to be tremendous. I congratu- starts with accurate diagnostic pro- late the editors of the present supple- dures. The profound knowledge and ment of the European Spine Journal sophisticated diagnostic techniques in picking up this interesting topic of the complex pathoanatomical and engaging opinion leaders to con- changes in the spine including the tribute their knowledge in this sup- involvement of the neural structures plement. The various contributions (contribution by Dvorak) often go cover some of the important prob- beyond the capacity of a spine s- lems, which are included in the vast geon. Teamwork and adequate c- specter of aging spine: osteoporosis, munication is mandatory.

Joint replacement is a logical step in the treatment of severe joint pathologies with irreversible lesions resisting conservative therapy. At the spinal level, arthrodesis became, very early, the gold standard of treatment for severe intervertebral disc pathologies. The next logical step was to envision functional replacement, and this step was taken as early as 1956, when the first intervertebral implant was described. However, it took many more years and a great variety of proposed implant designs before clinical applications could be attempted.

This book has become necessary as a consequence of the rapid expansion of the surgical procedures and implants available for spinal surgery within the "AO Group". We have not attempted to write an in-depth book on spinal surgery, but one which will help the surgeon in the use of AO concepts and implants. We con sider the practical courses held all over the world essential for the teaching of sound techniques so that technical complications and poor results can be avoid ed for both the surgeon and, in particular the patient. This book is a practical manual and an outline of what is taught in the courses. It is intended to help the young spinal surgeon to understand the correct use of AO implants. The indi- tions given will aid the correct use of each procedure. . It must be strongly emphasized that surgery of the spine is technically de manding. The techniques described in this book should only be undertaken by surgeons who are trained and experienced in spinal surgery. Certain techniques, in particular pedicle screw fIxation and cages, have not yet been fully approved by the FDA in the United States. However, throughout the rest of the world, the use of pedicle screws has become a standard technique for the spine surgeon, since it has been shown to improve fIxation techniques and allow segmental correction of the spine. The use of cages has become more and more popular, specifIcally as a tool of minimally invasive spinal surgery.

The new basic reference book for spinal surgery. Volume 1 replaces the former "AO ASIF Principles in Spine Surgery (Springer)." Volume 2 shows the application of the Techniques in case presentations.