Donor Site Morbidity After Anterior Iliac Crest Bone Harvest for Single-Level Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion

To evaluate acute and chronic problems associated with anterior ICBG donation, particularly long-term functional outcomes and impairments caused by graft donation. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion procedures frequently use autologous anterior ICBG to facilitate osseous union. Although autologous ICBG offers several advantages over alternative grafting materials, donor site morbidity can be significant. Acute and chronic complications of donor sites have been reported, yet there are currently no reports of long-term functional outcomes after autologous anterior ICBG donation after single-level ACDF.

A questionnaire was mailed to 187 consecutive patients who were retrospectively identified to have undergone autologous anterior ICBG harvest for single-level ACDF between 1994 and 1998. The questionnaire divided items into symptomatic (acute and chronic) and functional assessments. Patients answered yes, no, or not applicable; pain was assessed with a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS).