Calvarial bone graft harvest: a new technique.
OBJECTIVE
This study evaluates the use of a new calvarial bone graft-harvesting device (BHD).


METHODS
A total of 18 calvarial bone grafts (CBGs) were harvested from 9 cadavers with the BHD. The recorded parameters included drilling time, graft harvest time, graft size, graft integrity, and violation of the calvarial inner table. Five CBGs were subsequently harvested in vivo and used for 2 nasal reconstructions and 3 orbital reconstructions.


RESULTS
The CBG dimensions ranged from 1.25 to 2.5 cm in width and 3.0 to 16.0 cm in length. Graft harvest time ranged from 5 minutes, 55 seconds to 25 minutes, 30 seconds (mean 13 minutes, 7 seconds). There were no fractured grafts. The cadaveric inner table was violated twice with a cutting burr, and 1 dural exposure occurred in the clinical study.


CONCLUSIONS
Although caution must be used with all CBGs, the BHD appears to be safe and more efficient than osteotomes or oscillating saws.
Strong
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Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA.
Moulthrop
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D016025:Bone Transplantation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D012886:Skull / Q000601:surgery*; D020858:Tissue and Organ Harvesting / Q000379:methods*