COMPLICATIONS OF GRAFT HARVESTING AT THE ILIAC CREST - RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS OF 1191 CASES

We analyzed retrospectively 1191 cases of bone graft harvesting of the iliac crest which had been performed at our hospital between 1982 and 1991. There was an operative revision rate of 2.8%. For further study , we analyzed the clinical reports of all antograft (iliac crest) dono rs in a representative year (1991) and re-examined all those who still had symptoms. A total of 104 grafts were taken from 97 patients. Of t hese, 18 developed postoperative complications (19.6%), such as hemato ma, which could usually be treated with local procedures such as aspir ation. The rate of hematoma tended to be lower in those patients who h ad received a local coagulant, but this was not significant. Of the pa tients 55% still had problems 1 year after operation at the time of re -examination, but in most cases they were minor, for example, local ir ritation or discomfort. Serious problems developed in those patients w ho had a palpable defect of the iliac crest. We advise using local coa gulants to decrease the rate of postoperative complications, although we cannot statistically prove the effect. When large grafts are harves ted, the iliac crest should be reconstructed for better longterm resul ts.