Can iliac crest reconstruction reduce donor site morbidity?: a study using degradable hydroxyapatite-bioactive glass...

Prospective study.

To prospectively validate the hypothesis that iliac crest donor site morbidity may be a structural issue and by reconstructing the crest its incidence might be reduced. The study also evaluates the efficacy of Chitra hydroxyapatite-bioactive glass ceramic composite (Chitra-HABG) as a material for reconstructing the iliac crest.

Tricortical iliac crest bone graft harvesting is associated with significant donor site morbidity, varying from 3% to 61%. Reconstruction of the defect has been shown to reduce this morbidity, but the only materials which have been shown to be useful and readily available are bioactive apatite-wollastonite glass ceramic and morcellized beta-tricalcium phosphate.

Twenty-six patients in whom tricortical graft was harvested from the iliac crest and defect reconstructed with an indigenously developed and tested graft substitute-Chitra HABG-were followed up to duration of 1 year. Outcome measures were donor site morbidity as assessed clinically and radiologic assessment for ceramic incorporation, dissolution, fragmentation, and migration.

At the end of 1 year from surgery, 25 of the 26 patients (96.15%) had no pain at the donor site, which had been reconstructed. Radiologic evaluation showed that in 21 cases the ceramic incorporation was complete, partial in 3, and absent in 2. Partial dissolution of ceramic was noticed in 3 patients and migration in 1.

This study validates our hypothesis that the donor site morbidity after tricortical iliac crest graft harvesting is probably a structural issue and it can be reduced by reconstruction of the defect. It also highlights the fact that the Chitra-HABG block is an excellent material for reconstruction of the iliac crest defect, as it gets incorporated into the surrounding bone without adverse effects.