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Large segmental defects of the weight bearing long bones are very difficult to reconstruct. Current treatment options are afflicted with several limitations and disadvantages. We describe a novel approach to regenerate a segmental long bone defect in a patient using a multiple disc graft. Decellularized bovine trabecular bone discs were seeded with autologous bone marrow cells and cultured in a perfusion chamber for three weeks. Multiple cell-seeded discs were implanted to close a 72mm defect of the distal tibia in a 58-year-old woman, and fixed by an intramedullary nail. Bone formation was assessed non-invasively by plain radiographs and 18F-labeled sodium fluoride-based co-registration of positron emission- and computed tomography (PET/CT). Bone was actively formed around the grafted defect as early as six weeks after surgery. Because the tibia was sufficiently stabilized, the patient was able to freely …