Iliac crest versus spinous process grafts in posttraumatic spinal fusions.

Results of posttraumatic spine fusions in 34 patients who had autogenous iliac crest grafts were compared with those of 70 patients who had autogenous spinous process grafts. The two groups of patients were otherwise homogenous, and fusion occurred in 32 (94%) of the iliac crest graft patients and 70 (100%) spinous process graft patients. However, average operative time (225 vs. 200 minutes) and operative blood loss (1371 vs. 1136 cc) were significantly higher in iliac crest graft patients (P less than 0.05), and five iliac crest graft patients had significant donor site complications. Use of spinous process grafts eliminated donor site problems, reduced operative time and blood loss, and produced a rate of arthrodesis equal to that of iliac crest grafts.