Bone graft

Alternative Names: Autograft; Allograft

A bone graft is surgery to place new bone or bone substitutes into spaces around a broken bone or bone defects.

Description of Procedure

A bone graft can be taken from the patient's own healthy bone (this is called an autograft) or from frozen, donated bone (allograft). In some cases, a man-made (synthetic) bone substitute is used.

A surgeon makes a cut over the bone defect. The bone graft is shaped and inserted into and around the area. The bone graft is held in place with pins, plates, or screws. Stitches are used to close the wound. A splint or cast is usually used to prevent injury or movement while healing.

Risks of Bone graft

The risks for any anesthesia include:

• Reactions to medications
• Problems breathing

The risks for this surgery include:

• Bleeding
• Infection
• Pain at the place on the body where the bone was removed

Bone graft - series

Review Date: 7/28/2010
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine; C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Assistant Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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