Tibia Bone Grafts in Maxillofacial Reconstruction

Objective: Bone grafting in the maxillofacial region hasbeen used for a long time in oral and maxillofacialsurgery. Various indications, donor sites, and techniques have been reported. Our present study used the proximal tibia bone grafts to reconstruct maxillofacial defects and augment the bone volume for implantation. A retrospective study was undertaken to analyze the results of proximal tibia bone grafts in maxillofacial reconstruction. Methods: Over a 3-year period, 20 patients underwent bone grafting harvested from the proximal tibia. There were 12 women and 8 men. Average age at the time of surgery was 35 years(range 20-45 years). Mean follow-up was 24 months, with a range of 18 to 28 months. All charts were reviewed and patients were examined for recipients site complications and donor site complications. Results: There were minimal morbidity and complications at donor site. The proximal tibia bone graft can provide patients with a shorten hospitalization, and is a more comfortable method to obtain the same quality and quantity of cancellous bone grafts as iliac crest grafts in reconstruction of maxillofacial defects and reestablishment of bony atrophy for implantation. Conclusion: The procedure for proximal tibia bone graft is easy, has less operative risk, and result in a lower postoperative morbidity rate. The proximal tibia metaphysis is a useful site for obtaining cancellous bone graft and is an alternative bone graft donor site for maxillofacial reconstructive procedures.