Reconstruction of an iliac crest defect with a bioactive ceramic prosthesis.

Between June 1987 and December 1990, an iliac crest prosthesis made of bioactive apatite- and wollastonite-containing glass ceramic (A-W.GC) was used in 60 patients for the reconstruction of the iliac crest defect after harvesting autogenous tricortical iliac bone graft. The clinical results of this prosthesis were satisfactory. No patients felt spontaneous pain in the reconstructed area, and 93% of the patients had no tenderness there. In the radiological evaluation at the final follow-up, no apparent "radiolucent clear zone" was detected at the prosthesis-iliac bone junction in 98% of the patients. Excellent new bone formation between the prosthesis and the iliac crest was also noticed in 96% of the patients. The A-W.GC iliac crest prosthesis was beneficial for reconstruction of the iliac crest defect.