Harvesting of autogenous cancellous bone graft from the proximal tibial metaphysis. A review of 230 cases.

A study was undertaken to review the results of donor site morbidity of cancellous bone grafts obtained from the proximal tibial metaphysis. Two hundred six patients who underwent 230 proximal tibial bone graft harvestings were reviewed. Patients with lower-extremity fractures or nonunions who required cancellous bone grafts and would be non-weight-bearing for at least 6 weeks were selected to undergo the procedure. Minimum length of follow-up was 4 months, with an average length of follow up of 20.4 months. The proximal tibial metaphysis was found to supply an adequate amount of graft for all procedures involved, with a complication rate related to graft donor site of 1.3%. This compares favorably to a previously published report on bone grafts taken primarily from the iliac crest. The postoperative appearance of the proximal tibia may be permanently altered by the procedure, but weight-bearing after 6 weeks appears safe. The proximal tibial metaphysis is a useful site for obtaining cancellous bone graft and is associated with a low morbidity.