Outcomes and factors affecting survival of bone grafts placed by surgical trainees as an adjunct to implant rehabilitation

Introduction: Few studies assess the outcome of bone grafts placed by surgical trainees as an adjunct to implant rehabilitation. This study aims to review the survival of bone grafting procedures, performed by surgical trainees and assess factors affecting survival of these grafts.

Methods: Data from medical records (2003–2009) of patients receiving bone grafts placed by surgical trainees was collected. Graft failure was defined as any complete or partial graft loss, graft which had to be removed or was unable to have an implant placed.

Results: Seventy-five patients received 86 bone grafts over a period of 7 years. Overall survival of grafts was 87.3% with 7 complete graft failures (8.1%) and 3 partial graft failures (4.6%). All failed grafts were block grafts, with or without additional particulate graft, predominately in the anterior maxilla and in female patients. The main reason for failure was secondary infection, other complications occurred in about 27% of patients. Factors significantly increasing the risk of graft failure included use of bone block augmentation ( p < 0.01) and diabetes mellitus ( p < 0.01). However, simultaneous implant placement with grafting was found to have better bone graft survival rates than grafting alone ( p = 0.03). Smoking was found not to affect graft survival.

Conclusion: Good results were found in a series of patients treated by surgical trainees. Care should be taken in regards to planning block grafts in diabetic patients. If primary stability can be achieved, implant placement with immediate particulate graft may be preferred to maximise graft success.

Conflict of interest: None declared.

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Jan 27, 2018 | Posted by in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery | Comments Off on Outcomes and factors affecting survival of bone grafts placed by surgical trainees as an adjunct to implant rehabilitation

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