A study of regeneration of donor areas of bone grafts

Roentgenograms of 26 bone grafts from 21 patients ranging in age from 8 to 64 were reviewed to study the osseous regeneration of the donor area. They were followed from six to seventy-two months--most about twenty-four months. Complete regeneration occurred only in patients under 30 and did not occur in those over 30 within the time period studied. It took place more rapidly in young people starting from the bone stumps and in no case did it start from the periosteum, which seems to behave mainly as a conductor in the deposition of bone. Donor areas of bone grafts may be reused in young patients and with complete assurance in those under 20.