Bone graft

Bone graft

A Bone graft (/boʊn græft/) is a surgical procedure that uses transplanted bone to repair and rebuild diseased or damaged bones. A bone graft can fill a void where bone is absent or help provide structural stability.

Etymology

The term "Bone graft" is derived from the words "bone" and "graft". "Bone" comes from the Old English bān meaning "bone, tusk", while "graft" originates from the Old Norse grafta, meaning "to dig".

Types of Bone Grafts

There are four main types of bone grafts:

• Autograft: Bone is taken from one site in the patient's body and moved to another site where it is needed.
• Allograft: Bone is taken from a donor and transplanted to the recipient.
• Xenograft: Bone from a different species, usually a cow, is used.
• Synthetic: Man-made materials are used to simulate bone.

Procedure

The bone grafting procedure involves the following steps:

1. The surgeon makes an incision in the skin over the area where the bone graft is needed.
2. The graft is shaped and inserted into and around the area.
3. The graft is held in place with pins, plates, or screws.
4. The incision is closed with stitches.

Complications

Possible complications of a bone graft include infection, nerve damage, graft failure, and reaction to anesthesia.

Related Terms

• Osteoconduction: A process that involves the growth of new bone on the surface of a bone graft.
• Osteoinduction: A process in which osteogenic proteins cause non-osteogenic cells to change into cells that can produce bone.
• Osteogenesis: The process of bone formation.
• Osteopromotion: Enhancement of osteoinduction by a non-osteogenic material.

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