Iliac bone for secondary grafting in residual alveolar clefts

Iliac cancellous bone has proven efficacy as a bone-graft donor. This study analyses the success of iliac bone autografts in secondary alveolar clefts. The study group was 30 patients with clefts with complete clinical charts and occlusal radiographs with surgery did in Cleft Unit Temuco Regional Hospital (Chile) between 1990-1996. The quality of graft "take" was measured radiologically and clinically. The results were named "excelent-good-regular-bad" and were studied by statistic methods. We did not find complications in donor site. We only had two partial dehiscences in recipient site. In 29 grafts, we feel "bone consistence" in clinical examination. We had one "nontake" graft. 80% of alveolar bone grafts showed similar bone density with respect normal bone. 80% of same grafts had similar height of interdental septum. We had 22 cases with "good result" and 3 cases with "regular result". All of them statistically significant. In our experience, iliac bone graft for alveolar clefts is a good technique for this difficult problem.