Unusual Complication of Subacute Osteomyelitis Following Tibial Bone Graft: Report of a Case

Abstract

Since its introduction as a donor site for harvesting autogenous bone for use in maxillofacial surgery by Catone et al,1 the proximal tibia has been much advocated and has gained world-wide favor. Autogenous bone continues to be the “gold standard” of grafting, and the proximal tibia's purported ease and speed of harvest (times reported in the literature ranged from 10 to 30 minutes), minimal anesthesia requirements (in addition to general anesthesia, the procedure has been performed under local and more commonly, intravenous [IV] sedation), minimal blood loss, generous amounts of cancellous bone obtained (from 5 cc up to 42 cc), and perhaps most laudable, its extremely low complication rate, have all contributed to its popularity.