A study on the morphology of iliac crest based on the objectives of jaw bone defect reconstruction.

Objectives: to understand the morphological characteristics of iliac crest and provide advice and assistance for jaw bone reconstruction with iliac bone flap by evaluating the thickness and curvature of iliac crest.

Materials And Methods: 100 patients who had taken Spiral CT of the Abdominal region before surgeries between 2020 and 2022 were included in this study. 3D reconstruction images of the iliac bones were created. 5 vertical planes perpendicular to the iliac crest were made every 2 cm along the centerline of the iliac crest (VP2 ~ VP10). On these vertical planes, 4 perpendicular lines were made every 1 cm along the long axis of the iliac crest (D1 ~ D4). The thicknesses at these sites, horizontal angle (HA) of iliac crest and the distance between inflection point and the central point of anterior superior iliac spine (DIA) were measured.

Results: The thickness of iliac bone decreased significantly from D1 ~ D4 on VP6 ~ VP10 and from VP2 ~ VP10 on D3 and D4 level (P<0.05). HA of iliac crests was 149.13 ± 6.92°, and DIA was 7.36 ± 1.01 cm. Iliac bone thickness, HA and DIA had very weak or weak correlation with patient's age, height and weight.

Conclusions: The average thicknesses of iliac crest were decreased approximately from front to back, from top to bottom. The thickness and curvature of the iliac crest were difficult to predict by age, height and weight.

Clinical Relevance: Virtual surgical planning is recommended before jaw bone reconstruction surgery with iliac bone flap, and iliac crest process towards alveolar process might be a better choice.