A prospective study of factors influencing morbidity after iliac crest harvesting for oral onlay grafting

ObjectiveThe present study evaluates the morbidity after iliac crest harvesting from the anterior iliac rim for oral onlay grafting and identifies influential factors.Material and methodsTwenty partially edentulous or edentulous patients (15 females and 5 males) with a mean age of 54.25 years (range 20–78 years, SD 13.86 years, remaining bone height <5 mm of the alveolar ridge) underwent iliac onlay bone grafting. The postoperative clinical morbidity was classified in minor and major complications and was evaluated with respect to body mass index (BMI).ResultsThe grafting procedure was successfully performed in all patients with a mean BMI of 23.34 (range 18–29, SD 3.36). A significant difference between BMI and walking aid necessity (p = 0.018) was demonstrated, but no difference between BMI and hip pain, duration of disturbance, gait disturbance, complication rate, and sensory loss was identified (p > 0.05). Between hip pain and scar length, age and hip/jaw pain did not demonstrate a significant difference (p > 0.05). Postoperative complications were minor and consisted of hematoma, seroma, and transient sensory disturbance.ConclusionPatients undergoing bone harvest from the anterior superior iliac crest with oral grafting show a low minor complication rate and a high overall satisfaction of 95%.