Bone graft harvest site options in orthopaedic trauma: A prospective in vivo quantification study

PurposeWe compare autologous bone graft volume from three different harvest sites and the associated pain levels at one and four weeks post-harvest.MethodsWe prospectively collected a total of 47 consecutive autologous bone grafts in our level I trauma centre between July 2010 and September 2010 – 12 from the anterior iliac crest (AIC), 19 from the olecranon and 16 from the lateral aspect of the proximal tibia.ResultsThe mean ages for each group were 44.8, 41.9 and 42.1, respectively, with no statistically significant differences for age or gender. The mean quantities harvested were, respectively, 6.2 cm3 (cubic centimetres) from the AIC, 5.7 cm3 from the olecranon and 7.3 cm3 from the proximal tibia, with a statistically superior quantity from the proximal tibia when compared to the olecranon and no differences between the other sites. Analysis of the visual analogue scale (VAS) at one week and four weeks post-harvest confirmed statistically that pain was more severe at the AIC site when compared to both the olecranon and proximal tibia sites. There were no infections or neurovascular complications.ConclusionsWe conclude that the proximal tibia and olecranon are acceptable alternatives to the anterior iliac crest for autologous bone graft and may be preferred when the location of the primary injury permits.