From January 1984 to November 1997, the boiling xenogenic bone (porcine and bovine bone) was applied in 65 patients. The xenogenic bone was used to promote bone healing in 24 cases, intramedullary bone graft in 37 and osteomyelitis in 4. All of the patients were followed up for 2 to 35 months. The results showed that in five cases there was infection after operation, and all other the wounds had primary healing. The xenogenic bone seemed to induce rejection in vivo. In the sevious cases immunosuppressive treatment was often needed. The volume of the bone grafted and the extent of the periosteum being stripped seemed to be important whether xenogenic bone graft would be successful.