Younger and Chapman retrospectively reviewed 243 autogenous bone graft procedures in 239 patients to systematically quantify donor site morbidity — at the time, no comprehensive complication review existed in the orthopedic literature. The study documents rates of major and minor complications and identifies surgical and patient factors associated with increased risk.
When harvesting iliac crest autograft, use a separate incision whenever feasible — the same-incision approach nearly quadruples your major complication rate, particularly in posterior spine cases.
Counsel all patients preoperatively that major donor site complications occur in roughly 1 in 12 procedures, rising to 1 in 7 in medically complex patients.
Younger and Chapman retrospectively reviewed 243 autogenous bone graft procedures in 239 patients to systematically quantify donor site morbidity — at the time, no comprehensive complication review existed in the orthopedic literature. The study documents rates of major and minor complications and identifies surgical and patient factors associated with increased risk.
When harvesting iliac crest autograft, use a separate incision whenever feasible — the same-incision approach nearly quadruples your major complication rate, particularly in posterior spine cases.
Counsel all patients preoperatively that major donor site complications occur in roughly 1 in 12 procedures, rising to 1 in 7 in medically complex patients.