Free iliac crest grafting technology for the management of critical-sized tibial bone defect.

Objective: To introduce the method and experience of treating critical-sized tibial bone defect by taking large iliac crest bone graft.

Methods: From January 2020 to January 2022, iliac crest bone grafting was performed in 20 patients (10 men and 10 women) with critical-sized tibial bone defect. The mean length of bone defect was 13.59 ± 3.41. Bilateral iliac crest grafts were harvested, including the inner and outer plates of the iliac crest and iliac spine. The cortical bone screw was used to integrate two iliac bone blocks into one complex. Locking plate was used to fix the graft-host complex, supplemented with reconstruction plate to increase stability when necessary. Bone healing was evaluated by cortical bone fusion on radiographs at follow-up, iliac pain was assessed by VAS score, and lower limb function was assessed by ODI score. Complications were also taken into consideration.

Results: The average follow-up time was 27.4 ± 5.6 (Range 24-33 months), the mean VAS score was 8.8 ± 1.9, the mean ODI score was 11.1 ± 1.8, and the number of cortical bone fusion in the bone graft area was 3.5 ± 0.5. Satisfactory fusion was obtained in all cases of iliac bone transplant-host site. No nonunion, shift or fracture was found in all cases. No infection and bone resorption were observed that need secondary surgery. One patient had dorsiflexion weakness of the great toe. Hypoesthesia of the dorsal foot was observed in 2 patients. Ankle stiffness and edema occurred in 3 patients. Complications were significantly improved by physical therapy and rehabilitation training.

Conclusion: For the cases of critical-sized tibial bone defect, the treatment methods are various. In this paper, we have obtained satisfactory results by using large iliac bone graft to treat bone defect. This approach can not only restore the integrity of the tibia, but also obtain good stability with internal fixation, and operation skills are more acceptable for surgeons. Therefore, it provides an alternative surgical method for clinicians.