• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.86-91
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• 2000

Autogenous bone graft is the useful technique for management of various bone defect in oral and maxillofacial surgery. The most common site for bone graft harvest is the anterior iliac crest. There is usually considerable cancellous bone graft available and it can be obtained with minimal morbidity. However, complications noted in iliac crest grafts include prolonged postoperative pain, hematoma and fracture, gluteal muscle weakness. Occasionally, when large amounts of bone graft are needed and previous harvest procedure had used, iliac bone harvest may be not adequate. Like the iliac crest, the greater trochanter has abundant cancellous bone and is readily accessible with acceptable morbidity. The purpose of this study was to assess the availability of cancellous bone graft from the greater trochanter, compare the quantity with that available from the anterior iliac crest, investigate anatomical hazards, and make recommendations for consistent harvest.