Cancellous bone autografts: Donor sites, indications, techniques and complications

Abstract

A prospective study of patients who had cancellous bone-graft was conducted to identify the indications and complications related to the techniques used in harvesting such grafts from the ilium, distal femur and proximal tibia. The commonest indication for cancellous bone graft was non-union. Donor site pain was the most frequent complaint after iliac bone-graft harvesting. Other complications associated with iliac donor sites were haemorrhage, haematoma, infection and gait disturbance. Hypertrophic scar was the main donor site related complication in those patients whose grafts were harvested from the distal femur or proximal tibia. The morbidity associated with the iliac donor site and the proximity of the knee to most operative fields in the lower limbs makes the distal femoral and proximal tibial sites better alternatives for the lower limbs.

Nigerian Journal of Surgical Sciences Vol. 17 (1) 2007: pp. 9-13