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CK Birla Hospitals – CMRI, Kolkata has set up a dedicated Bone Bank, marking the establishment of the first operational bone bank in Eastern India. Designed in alignment with national and international standards, the bone bank significantly strengthens the hospital’s musculoskeletal, trauma, oncology, and reconstructive surgery capabilities by ensuring a reliable and high-quality source of bone allografts.
Bone banks play a critical role in modern surgical practice. They ensure timely availability of safe, well-processed grafts that undergo stringent donor screening, microbiological testing, validated sterilisation, and traceability at every stage. By reducing dependence on autograft harvesting , a process associated with additional operative time, donor-site pain, limited graft volume, and increased morbidity, the Bone Bank at CMRI aims to improve surgical outcomes, operating-room efficiency, and patient recovery.
The facility will provide a comprehensive range of graft types, including structural graft corticocancellous blocks, morselised grafts, and cancellous chips, enabling surgeons to select the most appropriate option based on clinical need. The availability of off-the-shelf grafts is expected to expand reconstructive options for patients undergoing tumour resections, complex fracture repairs, nonunion surgeries, spinal fusions, or deformity corrections.
Dr. Rakesh Rajput, HOD & director, orthopaedics, CK Birla Hospitals – CMRI, Kolkata, says, “A dedicated bone bank is essential for advanced orthopaedic reconstruction. In cases such as complex fractures, nonunion, tumour resections, and deformity corrections, bone allografts allow us to restore structure and stability without subjecting patients to the added trauma of autograft harvesting. The advantages are significant — reduced operative time, lower perioperative morbidity, better graft volume availability, and improved overall outcomes. A well-run bone bank ensures each graft has undergone robust screening, standardised processing, sterilization, and documentation, giving surgeons the confidence to perform demanding procedures with precision. This initiative marks a major step toward expanding safe, ethical, and high-quality reconstructive care for patients in our region.”
Sombrata Roy, unit head, CK Birla Hospitals – CMRI, Kolkata, says, “The bone bank reflects our commitment to developing strong clinical infrastructure that directly enhances patient care. A dependable supply of high-quality, regulated grafts reduces waiting periods, supports complex surgeries, and improves equity of access across Eastern India. This initiative reinforces CMRI’s focus on safe, ethical tissue procurement and utilisation delivered through standardised, patient-centred practices.”
The bone bank will also facilitate research, surgical training, and innovation within CK Birla Hospitals – CMRI. It will support resident education, simulation-based learning, and comparative research on graft performance and processing methods. With experienced personnel, validated protocols, and secure cold-chain management, the facility is poised to become a regional hub for safe and ethical bone procurement, processing, and distribution, said the press communication note.
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