What is the most common nerve injury associated with posterior iliac crest bone grafting (PICBG)?

What is the most common nerve injury associated with posterior iliac crest bone grafting (PICBG)?

• A. Inferior cluneal nerve
• B. Superior cluneal nerve
• C. Iliohypogastric nerve
• D. Ilioinguinal nerve

Answer: (B)

The superior cluneal nerve is the most commonly injured nerve associated with posterior iliac crest bone grafting (PICBG). This nerve, branching from the lumbar plexus, traverses the lateral aspect of the iliac crest and is primarily responsible for sensory innervation to the overlying skin in the posterior gluteal region. During the surgical harvesting of bone grafts from the iliac crest, there is a potential for trauma to this nerve due to its proximity to the harvest site. Understanding the anatomical pathway of the superior cluneal nerve is crucial, as its location makes it susceptible to injury during the grafting procedure. Ensuring careful dissection and awareness of nerve anatomy can help minimize the risk of sensory deficits in the postoperative period, illustrating the importance of a thorough understanding of the relevant anatomy for preventing complications during and after surgery.

The superior cluneal nerve is the most commonly injured nerve associated with posterior iliac crest bone grafting (PICBG). This nerve, branching from the lumbar plexus, traverses the lateral aspect of the iliac crest and is primarily responsible for sensory innervation to the overlying skin in the posterior gluteal region. During the surgical harvesting of bone grafts from the iliac crest, there is a potential for trauma to this nerve due to its proximity to the harvest site.

Understanding the anatomical pathway of the superior cluneal nerve is crucial, as its location makes it susceptible to injury during the grafting procedure. Ensuring careful dissection and awareness of nerve anatomy can help minimize the risk of sensory deficits in the postoperative period, illustrating the importance of a thorough understanding of the relevant anatomy for preventing complications during and after surgery.