Comparing Morbidities of Bone Graft Harvesting from the Olecranon Process and the Distal Radius

Abstract

Background:The aim of this study is to compare donor-site morbidities between patients who underwent bone graft harvesting from either the olecranon process (OP) or the distal radius (DR).Methods:We evaluated 44 patients who underwent bone graft harvesting from the OP (25 cases) or the DR (19 cases) for various procedures in the ipsilateral upper extremity. Follow-up averaged 14 (OP group) and 19 months (DR group). Outcome measures included visual analog scales (VAS) for graft harvest-site pain and scar appearance, joint motion, and x-rays of the graft harvest and recipient sites. The VAS scores ranged from 0 to 10 with a low score reflecting no pain and excellent satisfaction and a high score reflecting severe pain and poor satisfaction.Results:The VAS scores for pain averaged 0.4 (OP) and 0.5 (DR), and the VAS scores for scar appearance averaged 0.3 (OP) and 0.7 (DR). These differences were not significant. Within each group, there were no significant differences between the operative and nonoperative limbs for elbow or wrist motion. Early graft harvest-site complications involved 1 superficial wound infection (OP) and 1 wound dehiscence (DR). A graft harvest-site defect was detected by x-ray in 84% of OP cases and in 67% of DR cases. Bone healing at the graft recipient sites was observed in more than 87% of cases in both groups.Conclusions:Bone graft harvesting from either the OP or the DR led to comparable patient- and evaluator-determined outcomes with low risks of complications. Surgeons can safely use either option.

Arthroscopic Treatment of Scaphoid Nonunion With Olecranon Bone Graft and Screw Fixation Leads to Union and Improved Outcomes

“…30 One study reported no significant differences in VAS scores for pain, scar appearance, and function between olecranon bone grafting and distal radius bone grafting. 50 Scaphoid nonunion requires rigid fixation to facilitate primary bone healing. A meta-analysis of fixation for scaphoid nonunion showed that nonvascularized bone grafting with screw versus K-wire fixation provides comparable union rates of 90% versus 88%.…”

Donor site morbidity in autologous bone grafting – A comparison between different techniques of anterior iliac crest bone harvesting: A prospective study

“…Only one patient (1.8%) had residual donor site pain at 6 months. 9 Donor site pain is one of the most frequent complications associated with iliac crest bone grafting (ICBG) and almost 100% subjects experienced some kind of pain at various follow-ups. Donor site pain was evaluated using VAS, a common measure to assess the pain.…”

Bone graft harvested from the olecranon—an anatomic study

“… 22 Micev et al observed no statistical differences on comparing the use of graft harvested from the olecranon and distal radius regarding pain, consolidation, and complications of both techniques. 17 Recently, Yang et al conducted an anatomical study of the removal of a vascularized graft from the olecranon based on the recurrent posterior ulnar artery for complex defects requiring a structured and vascularized bone supply. 27 …”