Donor site morbidity after harvesting of proximal tibia bone

BACKGROUND: Bone-grafting procedures are common in head and neck surgery. Donor site morbidity is an important factor in deciding the site for harvest of cancellous bone. The tibia has been recommended as a harvest site. Use of the proximal tibia as a donor site is associated with few complications. Our present study used proximal tibia bone grafts to reconstruct maxillofacial defects and augment bone volume for implantation. METHODS: A retrospective study was undertaken to analyze 40 proximal tibia bone grafts in maxillofacial reconstruction. Minimal follow-up was 6 months. RESULTS: There were no major complications during the follow-up period. Early minor complications (15%) included temporary sensory loss and ecchymosis. Late minor complication (2.5%) was gait disturbance for 2 months. Long-term minor complication (2.5%) was an unsightly scar. CONCLUSION: The procedure for proximal tibia bone graft is easy, has less operative risk, and results in a lower postoperative morbidity rate. Based on our findings, we believe the proximal tibia offers a reliable site for harvest of sufficient quantities of good-quality cancellous bone.     

Donor site morbidity of calcaneal,distal tibial,and proximal tibial cancellous bone autografts in foot and ankle surgery. A systematic review and meta-analysis of 2296 bone grafts

PurposeThis study aims to report on the safety and donor site morbidity of the distal lower extremity (calcaneal, proximal, and distal tibial) cancellous bone autografts. We summarized the findings in a comprehensive infographic illustration. We are unaware of any similar meta-analyses to date.MethodsFollowing the PRISMA guidelines, two independent investigators searched MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE, SCOPUS, Google Scholar, and Cochrane databases in December 2020 using the following keywords and their synonyms: ("bone graft", "donor site morbidity", "calcaneal graft", “proximal tibia graft”, and “distal tibia graft”). Besides, the reference lists from previous review articles were searched manually for eligible studies. The primary outcomes of interest were (1) chronic pain, (2) fracture, and (3) infection, whereas the secondary outcomes were (1) neurological complications, (2) sensory disturbance and hypertrophic scars, (3) other complications such as shoe-wear difficulties and gait disturbance. Inclusion criteria were: studies on complications and adverse events of lower extremity bone autografts (calcaneal, proximal tibial, and distal tibial bone autografts) reporting at least one of the desired outcomes. Studies not reporting any of the outcomes of interest or if the full text is not available in English were excluded. Studies reporting on bone marrow aspirate or autografts for non-orthopedic indications were also excluded.ResultsAfter the removal of duplicates, a total of 5981 studies were identified. After screening those records, 85 studies remained for full-text assessment. Out of those, 15 studies qualified for the meta-analysis with a total of 2296 bone grafts. Out of those grafts, 1557(67.8%) were calcaneal grafts, 625 (27.2%) were proximal tibial grafts, and 114 (5%) were distal tibial grafts. In calcaneal bone grafts, there were 28 cases of chronic pain [1.97%, CI:1.10?2.50%, I² = 66%], 5 fractures [0.32%, CI: 0.10?0.60%,I² = 0%], 20 sural neuritis [1.28%, CI:0.70?1.80%, I² = 0%), and no wound infections. In proximal tibial grafts there were 13 cases of chronic pain [2.08%, CI: 1.01?3.2%, I² = 34.5%], 1 fracture [0.16%, CI:0.10?0.50%, I² = 0%], and 3 superficial wound infections [0.48%, CI: 0.10?1.01, I² = 0%]. In the distal tibial grafts there were no cases of chronic pain or wound infections, 1 fracture [0.90%, CI: 0.80?2.6%, I² = 0%], and 5 saphenous neuritis [4.5%, CI: 0.70?8.40%, I² = 65%].ConclusionCalcaneal, distal tibial, and proximal tibial bone autografts are safe with a low rate of overall and major complications. We report an overall complication rate of 6.8%, which is less than half of that previously reported for iliac crest grafts. The authors recommend using distal lower extremity grafts for foot and ankle primary surgeries instead of iliac crest grafts when indicated. Clinical trials with a large sample size are required.     

The percutaneous trephine technique for harvesting iliac crest bone graft in alveolar clefts and its effect on donor site morbidity and quality of bone graft

The percutaneous trephine technique uses a bone marrow biopsy needle to harvest cancellous bone graft from the anterior iliac crest. The subjects of this study were 41 patients with 47 alveolar clefts who underwent secondary bone grafting over a period of 5 years, using the above technique. The donor site morbidity was evaluated retrospectively by means of a postal questionnaire and case note survey. Patients were questioned about severity of pain, duration of pain and duration of limping. None of the patients had donor site pain or limping for more than 2 weeks. No patient had severe donor site pain. Case note surveys revealed no donor site complications of haematoma, sensory disturbance, wound breakdown or contour abnormality. In 85.10% (n=40) of the alveolar clefts where the canine tooth had reached its final position at the bone grafted site, dental radiographs were used to assess the interalveolar septal height. In 82.5% (n=33) the interalveolar septal height was more than three quarters of normal i.e. a successful result. In conclusion the percutaneous technique causes minimal donor site pain and gait disturbance. It is a simple and safe technique, easy to learn and quick to perform leaving the patient with an imperceptible donor site scar. The results of clinical and radiological assessment of the quality of the bone graft also compare favourably with the conventional open technique of harvesting iliac crest graft in cases of alveolar clefts. Received: 31 December 1997 / Accepted: 20 July 1998     

Donor site morbidity following iliac crest bone harvesting for cervical fusion: a comparison between minimally invasive and open techniques

We have studied the occurrence of donor site morbidity, cosmesis and overall satisfaction with graft procedure in 76 patients who had undergone iliac crest bone harvesting for anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). Totally 24 patients underwent an open procedure and 52 a minimally invasive trephine harvesting method. Although our study demonstrated substantial donor site pain and its effect on ambulation in both groups, this was of limited duration. Two patients, one in each group, suffered long-term pain that was eventually resolved. Totally 8.3% of patients in the open group suffered minor complications and 11.5% in the trephine group. There were two cases of meralgia parasthetica. There were no major complications in either group. There was no statistically significant difference in morbidity between the open and trephine groups. There was a trend towards significance (P = 0.076) for pain at the donor site, with less pain reported by patients who underwent the trephine procedure for harvesting.     

A quantitative analysis of donor site morbidity after vascularized fibula transfer

Eleven patients with free vascularized fibula graft transplants to the upper extremity were studied for donor-side morbidity effects. Based on their surgical follow-up times, the patients were divided into either group 1 (5 +/- 2 months) or group 2 (21 +/- 8 months) to examine the effects of surgical trauma more closely. Gait evaluation was performed using two walkways containing different ground conditions. Knee and ankle-foot motion was measured using a three-dimensional electrogoniometer. Basic temporodistance factors and ground reactions were obtained from foot switches, instrumented floor mats, and a force plate. A modified Cybex II isokinetic dynamometer was used to quantitate ankle-foot strengths. Moderate knee and ankle-foot motion changes were seen while walking on the level, sideslope, and ramp in patients evaluated less than 10 months after their surgical procedure. Minimal joint motion effects were discovered in patients with follow-up times longer than 10 months. Muscle strengths were significantly impaired in both groups, especially foot inversion and eversion. An inverse relationship existed between the length of resected fibula and ankle evertor muscle strength. Donor side morbidity does not appear to be caused by surgical soft-tissue trauma exclusively. These patients need to be studied for several more years to determine the long-term functional effects of free vascularized fibular graft transfer.     

Donor site morbidity with reamer-irrigator-aspirator (RIA) use for autogenous bone graft harvesting in a single centre 204 case series

Donor site morbidity and complication rate using the reamer-irrigator-aspirator (RIA) system for intramedullary, non-structural autogenous bone graft harvesting were investigated in a retrospective chart and radiographic review at a University affiliated Level-1 Trauma Centre. 204 RIA procedures in 184 patients were performed between 1/1/2007 and 12/31/2010. RIA-indication was bone graft harvesting in 201 (98.5%), and intramedullary irrigation and debridement in 3 (1.5%) cases. Donor sites were: femur – antegrade 175, retrograde 4, tibia – antegrade 7, retrograde 18. Sixteen patients had undergone two RIA procedures, two had undergone three procedures, all using different donor sites. In 4 cases, same bone harvesting was done twice. Mean volume of bone graft harvested was 47 ± 22 ml (20–85 ml). The complication rate was 1.96% (N = 4). Operative revisions included 2 retrograde femoral nails for supracondylar femur fractures 6 and 41 days postoperatively (antegrade femoral RIA), 1 trochanteric entry femoral nail (subtrochanteric fracture) 17 days postoperatively (retrograde femoral RIA) and 1 prophylactic stabilization with a trochanteric entry femoral nail for intraoperative posterior femoral cortex penetration without fracture. In our centre, the RIA technique has a low donor site morbidity and has been successfully implemented for harvesting large volumes of nonstructural autogenous bone graft.     

Donor site morbidity of the prelaminated fasciomucosal and fasciocutaneous radial forearm flap: a comparative study

In order to reconstruct intraoral lining defects after radical tumor resection, mucosal prelamination of the fascia of the distal radial forearm flap was performed in ten patients. By this method a physiologic reconstruction with mucus-producing tissue could be achieved. Preservation of skin and subcutaneous tissue enabled primary closure of the donor site. The exposed median nerve and flexor tendons could be covered by well-vascularized tissue with, hopefully, less donor site morbidity. To investigate this, eight prelamination patients were compared to five patients in whom conventional fasciocutaneous distal radial forearm flaps were harvested. Follow-up was 6–25 months (mean 12.8 months). All patients with prelaminated forearm flaps revealed excellent functional and cosmetic results. Restricted hand function and a poor cosmetic result were found in 40% of the fasciocutaneous flap patients. Subjective cold intolerance could be objectified using thermography, but could not be confirmed, using rheography and photoplethysmography. Received: 9 March 1998 / Accepted: 16 November 1998     

Radial forearm flap surgery—evaluation of donor site morbidity

The free radial forearm flap is an excellent method for reconstruction of defects in the head and neck region. In the literature, there is still disagreement about the best surgical treatment of the forearm defect to avoid functional and cosmetic drawbacks. There is a debate about using full-thickness skin graft or better split thickness skin graft. To evaluate our own results after radial forearm flap surgery, a follow-up examination and standardized interview of 25 patients was performed. For closure of the donor site, a full skin graft from the groin was used in 17 cases and split skin graft from the thigh in eight cases. All patients were satisfied with postoperative results and hand function for everyday use. Subjective complaints were more common in the split skin graft group, especially related to loss of sensibility. Because of severe wound healing failure with tendon exposure in one case after split skin grafting, there was the necessity for surgical revision. During the medical examination, we documented more functional impairments in the split skin graft group than in patients after full skin grafting. Only the development of hypertrophic scars dominated in the full skin graft group. According to the trend to fewer complications, we prefer full-thickness skin grafts for the closure of the donor site after radial forearm flap surgery. This study was presented at the International Forum: Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery of the Head and Neck, Annual Meeting of the German Academy of Otorhinolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery Foundation, May 16–20 2007, Munich, Germany.     

Donor site morbidity in the iliac crest bone graft.

BACKGROUND: Open iliac crest bone grafting is a common surgical procedure with recognized short-term complications. The present paper documents the medium- to long-term complications and level of patient satisfaction following the procedure. METHODS: Seventy-three patients undergoing an open iliac crest bone graft over the past 6 years at Wellington Hospital were retrospectively reviewed. All patients completed a postal questionnaire which assessed their current pain, sensory changes in and below the scar, scar appearance and overall appearance with the bone graft donor site. RESULTS: Sixteen patients (21.9%) reported pain, 11 patients (15%) stated that their scar was sensitive to touch and 19 patients (22%) reported a degree of sensory change below the scar. Six patients (8.2%) felt that the scar appearance was totally unacceptable. Overall satisfaction, however, was high with 70 patients (95.8%) 'fairly satisfied' or 'totally satisfied' with their iliac crest donor site. CONCLUSIONS: Bone grafting from the iliac crest is a relatively benign procedure in terms of patient satisfaction, and the most significant morbidity is pain.     

Donor site morbidity: standard versus partial latissimus dorsi free flap

Over the last 7 years 128 latissimus dorsi free flaps have been performed at the BG Unfallklinik in Murnau. Since 1995, the use of a partial latissimus dorsi, sized according to the defect that has to be covered, leaving a functional remnant has continuously increased. We compared the donor site morbidity after standard and after partial latissimus dorsi flap in a small group of 10 patients each (n=20). The mean follow-up time was 18 and 24 months, the mean age of the patient 42.5 and 43.6 years. The evaluation included complaints, subjective loss of strength, scar length, ROM of the shoulder, and measured loss of strength, taking into account the patient’s dominant side. The acceptance of the donor area by the patients was very good in both groups. It was found that the loss of strength after partial latissimus dorsi is less evident than after standard latissimus dorsi. The scar length was independent of the type of flap chosen. There was no loss in range of movement. In both groups it was found that if the flap was taken from the non-dominant side the difference in strength to the dominant side was more than if the flap was taken from the dominant side. We could not see a causal relationship between age and the amount of strength lost. Because of the decreased donor site morbidity we think the partial latissimus dorsi flap should be used instead of the standard latissimus whenever possible. Received: 9 March 1998 / Accepted: 3 June 1999     

Prospective study of iliac crest bone graft harvest site pain and morbidity

Background contextMorbidity associated with autologous bone graft harvest is an important factor in determining the utility of expensive alternatives such as recombinant bone morphogenic protein. The most frequently reported complication associated with graft harvest is chronic pain.PurposeTo prospectively determine the degree of pain and morbidity associated with autologous iliac crest bone graft harvest and its effect on activities of daily living.Study designProspective observational cohort study.Patient sampleOne hundred ten adult patients undergoing elective posterior lumbar spinal fusion surgery involving autologous iliac crest bone graft harvest.Outcome measuresPatient self-reported Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores for pain and a study-specific questionnaire regarding activities of daily living.MethodsOne hundred ten patients were prospectively enrolled. Postoperative VAS scores (0–100) for harvest site pain were obtained at 6-week, 6- and 12-month follow-up. Patients completed a 12-month questionnaire regarding the persistence of specific symptoms and resulting limitation of specific activities.ResultsOne hundred four patients were available for 1-year follow-up. Mean VAS pain scores (scale 0–100) at 6 weeks, 6 and 12 months were 22.7 (standard deviation [SD], 25.9), 15.9 (SD, 21.5), and 16.1 (SD, 24.6), respectively. At 12 months, 16.5% reported more severe pain from the harvest site than the primary surgical site, 29.1% reported numbness, and 11.3% found the degree of numbness bothersome, whereas 3.9% were bothered by scar appearance. With respect to activity limitations resulting from harvest site pain at 1 year, 15.1% reported some difficulty walking, 5.2% with employment, 12.9% with recreation, 14.1% with household chores, 7.6% with sexual activity, and 5.9% irritation from clothing.ConclusionsThere is a significant rate of persistent pain and morbidity from iliac crest bone graft harvest when associated with elective spine surgery. Mean pain scores progressively decline over the first postoperative year. Nevertheless, harvest site pain remains functionally limiting in a significant percentage of patients 1 year after surgery. Rates of functional limitation are higher than previously reported and may be because of increased sensitivity of the prospective study design and targeted investigation of these specific symptoms. Validity of these findings is necessarily limited by patient ability to discriminate harvest site pain from alternative sources of back and buttock pain.     

Mechanisms of cortical bone loss from the metacarpal following digital amputation

Immobilization bone loss, whether due to whole body immobilization or local causes, is associated with an initial rapid phase of trabecular bone loss, but the long-term effects of immobilization on cortical bone are not well described. We have studied metacarpal morphometry in 16 men who had undergone partial or complete traumatic digital amputations 4–71 years earlier. Noninvolved metacarpals from the affected and unaffected hands were used as controls. Cortical bone width was significantly reduced in the metacarpals proximal to the amputated digits (P=0.001). In the 7 subjects who suffered amputation before the age of 19, the cortical bone deficit was primarily due to a reduction in the total width of the medullary shaft (P=0.007), whereas medullary width was not changed. In these subjects the metacarpal was also significantly reduced in length, by a mean 2.9 mm (P=0.035). In the 9 subjects who had their amputation after the age of 19, both a reduction in total width and an increase in medullary width (P=0.017) accounted for the cortical bone deficit. The deficit in total width was related to the time since amputation (P=0.008) and could be accounted for by loss of the normal age-related increase in total width (0.01 mm/year). We conclude that in this model of immobilization osteoporosis, the metacarpal proximal to the amputated digit demonstrates cortical osteopenia. An inhibition of the periosteal bone formation, which is responsible for the normal age-related gain in total width, is an important factor in this bone loss, which thus differs from normal age-related bone loss (which is endosteal) and from bone loss following acute immobilization (which is from trabecular sites). The pattern of cortical bone loss differs according to the age at amputation.     

Postoperative pain following posterior iliac crest bone graft harvesting in spine surgery: a prospective,randomized trial

Background Context

Postoperative pain at the site of bone graft harvest for posterior spine fusion is reported to occur in 6%–39% of cases. However, the area around the posterior, superior iliac spine is a frequent site of referred pain for many structures. Therefore, many postoperative spine patients may have pain in the vicinity of the posterior iliac crest that may not in fact be caused by bone graft harvesting. The literature may then overestimate the true incidence of postoperative iliac crest pain.

Failure of reconstitution of open-section, posterior iliac-wing bone graft donor sites after lumbar spinal fusion. Observations with implications for the etiology of donor site pain

The objective of this cohort study—conducted at a regional trauma unit in southern Ontario, Canada—was to review the imaging history of open-section, iliac-wing bone graft donor sites in lumbar fusion patients. Intervention entailed review of available X-ray and CT scan images for all patients undergoing lumbar fusion with iliac autograft in the senior authors practice over a 4-year period. Outcome was radiographic confirmation of the absence of bony reconstitution at the iliac harvest site. Of 239 primary fusions performed, 209 complete imaging records were available for review. The images of a further 20 patients who had surgery with the senior author prior to the study period and who presented at the office in the first half of 2000 were also assessed. All cases showed persistence of the iliac donor harvest site defect. Only minimal marginal sclerosis to suggest attempted remodeling was observed. We conclude that iliac-wing bone graft donor sites do not remodel. Given that iliac harvesting is known to increase strain in the pelvis, and that lumbosacral stabilization increases stress in the pelvis, permanent deficiency of iliac bone stock at donor harvest site may be a factor in both primary donor site pain and the observed high frequency of this problem in lumbosacral fusion patients.     

Donor area morbidity after flaps: clinical applications of the superficial temporal fascial flap

Ten cases of the superficial temporal fascial flap (STFF) are presented. The indications for the STFF were ear reconstruction, maxillofacial injuries and malformations, and a chronic ulcer above the Achilles tendon. Nine pedicled and one free STFF were used. The flap size was up to a maximum of 12 cm in length and 8 cm in width. There was little aesthetic and no functional impairment at the donor site. There is no doubt that too little attention has been paid to the STFF in the past. 15 February 1998 / Accepted: 27 November 1998     

Treatment of tibial nonunion with posterolateral bone grafting

ObjectivesPosterolateral bone grafting to treat nonunions of the distal two-thirds of the tibia avoids the often traumatized and more tenuous anterior soft-tissue envelope. Few modern reports of its effectiveness are available. We assessed whether posterolateral bone grafting leads to high union and low complication rates.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective review at a Level I trauma center. Our study group was 59 patients with distal two-thirds tibial fractures treated with posterolateral bone grafting. Patients included those with history of deep surgical site infection (SSI) before bone grafting (n = 17), established nonunions (n = 42), and impending nonunions associated with open fractures and bone gaps (n = 17). All patients were followed for a minimum of 12 months unless they achieved union before that time point. Our primary outcome measurement was fracture union. Secondary outcome measurements were any complication associated with the approach and infection requiring return to the operating room.ResultsFracture union was achieved in 44 (75%) of 59 patients without further intervention. The mean interval to union was 9.9 months (range, 3–22). Of 11 infected nonunions treated, nine progressed to union. Seventeen of 23 patients with defects >2 cm, including defects up to 5.4 cm without infection, were successfully treated. Two patients who underwent grafting at least 10 years after initial injury achieved union. No complications were associated with the approach (specifically, no wound breakdown, vascular injury, or tendon injury). Fourteen percent of patients experienced SSI after bone grafting. Seven of eight deep SSI occurred in patients with previous infection or positive intraoperative cultures. Only one (3%) of 36 patients without infection pre- or intraoperatively experienced SSI.ConclusionsEven in this relatively difficult patient cohort that included large bone gaps and history of infection, union was achieved at a relatively high rate with posterolateral bone graft. The approach seems to be safe, considering no known complications specifically associated with the approach occurred, and seems to reduce the risk of SSI in the absence of previous infection.     

Split-thickness skin graft donor-site morbidity: A systematic literature review

The purpose of this systematic literature review is to critically evaluate split-thickness skin graft (STSG) donor-site morbidities. The search of peer-reviewed articles in three databases from January 2009 to July 2019 identified 4271 English-language publications reporting STSG donor-site clinical outcomes, complications, or quality of life. Of these studies, 77 met inclusion criteria for analysis. Mean time to donor-site epithelialization ranged from 4.7 to 35.0 days. Mean pain scores (0–10 scale) ranged from 1.24 to 6.38 on postoperative Day 3. Mean scar scores (0–13 scale) ranged from 0 to 10.9 at Year 1. One study reported 28% of patients had donor-site scar hypertrophy at 8 years. Infection rates were generally low but ranged from 0 to 56%. Less frequently reported outcomes included pruritus, wound exudation, and esthetic dissatisfaction. Donor-site wounds underwent days of wound care and were frequently associated with pain and scarring. Widespread variations were noted in STSG donor-site outcomes likely due to inconsistencies in the definition of outcomes and utilization of various assessment tools. Understanding the true burden of donor sites may drive innovative treatments that would reduce the use of STSGs and address the associated morbidities.     

The scalp as a favorable donor site for limited-sized split-thickness skin grafts in comparison to the thigh donor site

We compared the split-thickness skin graft donor sites of hair bearing scalp (n=86) and thigh (n=27) in 113 patients, predominantly adults over a 6-month period. Donor site morbidity (pain, epithelialization, scars) was evaluated, including intensity and duration of pain, number of dressing changes, and duration of epithelialization of the wound. Graft thickness and quality was identical in the two groups. Patients with grafts from the scalp had fewer complaints than those with grafts from the thigh; they also had faster reepithelialization. Costs for staff and material related to the frequency and duration of dressing changes were significantly lower in patients with scalp grafts. The limited size of these grafts must be considered. The scalp as a donor site has the advantage of lower donor site morbidity with minimal pain and fast epithelialization. There was no scarring or alopecia in any of the patients.