Introduction: The reconstruction of a mandibular defect remains a significant challenge to the reconstructive surgeon. The aim of this study is to describe the experience of a Nigerian tertiary hospital with the reconstruction of mandibular defects using non-vascularised iliac crest bone grafts.

Materials and methods: Information was prospectively collected from patients who had mandibular reconstruction using iliac crest graft over a 12-month period. The data included demographic information, cause of mandibular defect, type of mandibular resection, span of defect, recipient and donor sites complications. Patient satisfaction was assessed using a visual analogue scale.

Results: Twenty patients had reconstruction with non-vascularized iliac crest graft during the study period. The mean age was 31.61 years. Mean span of the mandibular defect was 10.65 cm. At the recipient site, infection was the commonest complication which affected 20.0% of the cases but only one resulted in the loss of the graft. The commonest complication at the donor site was abnormal gait. Majority of the patients were satisfied with the aesthetic outcome of their mandibular reconstruction.

Conclusion: Non-vascularised iliac crest bone graft, though it may be limited in its versatility, appears to have satisfactory aesthetic outcome with relatively few complications.

Conflict of interest: None declared.