Piezo harvesting of bone grafts from the anterior iliac crest: A technical note

BACKGROUND: Autogenous bone graft harvesting from the iliac crest is associated with donor site morbidity. The aim of this report is to describe the use of piezosurgery as an attempt at morbidity reduction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A piezosurgical handpiece and its selection of tips can easily be accommodated in an iliac crest wound to osteotomize and allow the harvest and delivery of autogenous bone grafts. RESULTS: Corticocancellous blocks or cancellous strips of autogenous bone can be readily harvested using a piezosurgical technique at the anterior iliac crest. CONCLUSION: Piezosurgery avoids some of the traumatic aspects of harvesting bone associated with the use of conventional rotary instruments or saws.