ABSTRACT

Objectives: To evaluate the complications of harvesting autogenous bone from the iliac crest.

Methods: A retrospective review of patients undergoing iliac crest bone grafting at the University Hospital of the West Indies, during the period 2000–2004, was performed. One hundred and three patients were identified. Thirty-two patients were successfully contacted and 30 completed the questionnaire. There were 18 males (60%) and 12 females (40%). Their ages ranged from 13 years to 80 years (average 45.6 years).

Results: Of the 30 patients, 22 (73.3%) had complications. Fourteen (46.6%) patients had temporary pain; five (16.6%) had chronic pain. Two (6.6%) changed position of clothing due to discomfort at the graft site; five (16.6%) experienced difficulty walking, one reported itching of the scar, one had altered sensation and one was unhappy with the scar. Fourteen patients (46.6%) had minor complications and eight patients (26.6%) had major complications.

Conclusion: Autogenous iliac crest bone grafting is associated with significant complications.