title: Fractures of the iliac crest after split-thickness bone grafting for preprosthetic surgery: report of 3 cases and review of the literature.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In this study fractures of the iliac crest after split-thickness bone grafting in a patient population treated for preprosthetic reasons were evaluated.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a retrospective patient population of 146 patients, during a 5-year period (1998 to 2002), 3 avulsion fractures of the iliac crest were noticed. All fractures were postsurgical, occurring as late fractures. A review of the literature regarding etiology, clinical characteristics, and results of treatment is given.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In all 3 cases treatment was conservative, consisting of a period of bed rest followed by progressive ambulation. Further recovery was uneventful.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  According to this patient population and the literature, late fracture of the iliac crest after split-thickness bone grafting is an uncommon complication. We recommend a harvesting and grafting technique at an appropriate distance from the iliac spine with an oscillating saw. Treatment of an iliac crest fracture is almost always conservative.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Vrije Universiteit Medical Center, Academic Dentistry, Amsterdam. s.be@Antonius.net
authors.forename: Steven A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Zijderveld
authors.forename: Christiaan M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: ten Bruggenkate
authors.forename: Johan P A
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: van Den Bergh
authors.forename: Egbert A J M
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Schulten
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000540:Alveolar Ridge Augmentation; D001284:Atrophy; D016025:Bone Transplantation; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007085:Ilium / Q000293:injuries*; D008334:Mandible / Q000601:surgery; D008437:Maxilla / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D020858:Tissue and Organ Harvesting / Q000009:adverse effects*