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Intermediate Technical IVT

iliac crest bone graft

Also written as: ICBG — iliac crest bone graft

Autologous bone harvested from the patient's iliac crest, considered the gold standard for spinal fusion procedures.

Full Definition

Autogenous bone tissue harvested from the anterior or posterior iliac crest of the patient's pelvis, representing the gold standard for bone grafting in spinal fusion procedures. Iliac crest bone graft provides optimal osteogenic, osteoinductive, and osteoconductive properties due to the presence of living osteoblasts, growth factors, and appropriate scaffold structure. The graft can be harvested as corticocancellous strips or morselized cancellous bone depending on the surgical requirements. While highly effective for achieving fusion, harvest site morbidity including pain, infection, and nerve injury remains a significant concern.

Usage

Usage note: Specify anterior or posterior harvest site and graft preparation method.

In Context

  • "Posterior iliac crest bone graft was harvested and morselized for posterolateral fusion." — operative technique
  • "The patient experienced donor site pain following iliac crest bone graft harvest." — postoperative note

Also known as

ICBG autograft autologous bone graft

Contrasted with

allograft synthetic bone substitute

Don't confuse with

iliac screw sacral alar screw

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