Purpose: A commonly used method for the repair of maxillofacial bony defects is the utilization of autogenous bone grafts from intraoral donor sites. There are many advantages associated with intraoral sites: easy accessibility, low rate of morbidity, and decreased cost. Multiple cadaver studies have looked at individual donor sites and have quantified the amount of bone available, however, the numbers studied were small and they failed to compare multiple donor sites within the same cohort and specimen.

The aim of this study is to quantify the amount of bone that can reliably be harvested in the mandibular symphysis, ascending ramus/body, coronoid process, and the maxillary zygomatic buttress. The goal is to compare the differences within the same specimen, as well as within the cohort of cadavers.

Methods: There were 27 females and 30 males with the average age being 72.5 years old (range 22–92). The quantity and quality of harvested bone was evaluated using standard methods reported in the literature.

Results: Our preliminary results indicate that the characteristics amongst different donor sites vary greatly in regard to thickness, volume, and cortical surface area.

Conclusion: This is the largest cadaver study comparing autogenous intraoral donor sites.

Additionally, we have found that the percentage of bone yield per site is relatively consistent between cadavers. With this more exact knowledge of the various yields derived from these grafts a surgeon will be more adequately equipped to confront the reconstructive challenges of the maxillofacial region.

Conflict of interest: None declared.