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Updated: Aug 15, 2026
Use of Human Perivascular Stem Cells for Bone Regeneration
Published on: May 25, 2012
Complete pelvic ring failure after posterior iliac bone graft harvesting
T L Fernando1, S S Kim, D G Mohler
1Cornell University Medical College, Ithaca, New York, USA.
Study Design:
Case report.
Objective:
To present a rare complication of posterior iliac bone graft harvesting.
Summary Of Background Data:
Although iliac bone graft harvesting is a common procedure in spinal surgery, it is not without complications. One such complication is fracture of the ilium that is seen most often in older women with osteopenia.
Method:
In this case a severe complication of posterior iliac bone graft harvesting was identified in a patient with steroid-induced osteoporosis that led to multiple pelvic fracture, nonunions, and eventual failure of the entire pelvic ring. Imaging studies showed osteoporotic bone and multiple nonunions of the pelvis with structural collapse.
Results:
Staged sequential platings of the iliac wings were performed to stabilize the pelvis. The initial fixation of the left iliac wing apparently united after hardware failure. The right iliac wing was successfully fixed with plates supplemented with bone cement and allograft. Anterior fixation was planned.
Conclusions:
Care should be taken when considering autograft harvesting in patients with risk factors for osteoporosis. The outcome could be debilitating.
