Bone transplants from the Iliac crest to the maxillo-facial region by the microsurgical technique

The deep circumflex iliac artery (DCIA) is a large vessel supplying the major part of the iliac bone and a considerable area of the overlying skin. It therefore displays ideal conditions for a free microsurgical transplant, consisting either of pure bone or of composite bone and skin. Results of cadaver dissections elucidated the surgical technique, which is described here in detail. In addition to this, two case reports are presented, concerning two patients in whom a composite osteocutaneous graft and a bone graft respectively which were transplanted microsurgically to the maxillofacial region. The advantages of this procedure are outlined, and future aspects of this method are discussed.