Evaluation of the Trephine Method in Harvesting Bone Graft From the Anterior Iliac Crest for Oral and Maxillofacial Reconstructive Surgery

Autogenous bone graft is the gold standard for maxillofacial reconstruction. Although there are many donor sites, the ilium is favored. Open iliac bone harvesting techniques can result in significant complications, which are to be reduced; a minimally invasive technique using trephine burs was used. The aim of the study was to evaluate the intra- and postoperative complications, the size of bone harvested, and the time of the procedure. Eighteen consecutive patients were conducted. The trephine bur makes holes of 10 mm diameter in the iliac crest from which a bone graft can be harvested. No major long-term morbidity was found; all patients were discharged on the first postoperative day. The trephine technique is generally a safe procedure, can provide enough corticocancellous bone for osseous defects in maxillofacial region up to 10 cc. In addition to that, the technique is easy to learn and allows early discharge of patients from the hospital.