OBJECTIVETo explore the similarity between the iliac crest and the metacarpal bone, so as to provide an anatomical basis for the reconstruction of the metacarpal bone of the hand with the iliac crest grafting.

METHODSThere are 16 upper limb specimens and 10 pelvic specimens. The morphological features of the second, third, fourth and 5th metacarpal bones and iliac crest were observed. The following indexes were measured: arc height and length of metacarpal head articular surface, volar-dorsal metacarpal diameter, ulnoradial diamater, arc height and length of iliac crest, and inner and outer diameter. The obtained data were statistically analyzed to compare the morphological, structural features, arc length and diameter length of each metacarpal bone and iliac crest.

RESULTSThe arc length of the second metacarpal head, volar-dorsal metacarpal diameter, arc height, and the ulnoradial diameter are 22.040(21.425, 23.085) mm, (14.034±0.465) mm, 4.185 (4.113, 4.598) mm, and (12.227±0.414) mm respectively. The arc length of the third metacarpal head, volar-dorsal metacarpal diameter, arc height, and the ulnoradial diameter are 23.430(22.743, 24.153)mm, (14.316±0.430) mm, 4.235(4.170, 4.670) mm, and (12.382±0.425) mm respectively. The arc length of the fourth metacarpal head, volar-dorsal metacarpal diameter, arc height, and the ulnoradial diameter are 21.960 (21.245, 22.285) mm, (12.382±0.288) mm, 4.125 (4.030, 4.305) mm, and (11.991±0.362) mm respectively. The arc length of the fifth metacarpal head, volar-dorsal metacarpal diameter, arc height, and the ulnoradial diameter are 20.030 (19.668, 20.148) mm, (11.807±0.358) mm, 4.015(3.880, 4.205) mm, and (11.659±0.399) mm respectively. The inner and outer diameter of the iliac crest is 14.350 (13.660, 14.739) mm, and the arc length and height are (22.930±0.701) mm and (4.520±0.184) mm respectively. The difference between the volar-dorsal metacarpal diameter of the second metacarpal head and the inner and outer diameter of the iliac crest has no significant; while the volar-dorsal metacarpal diameter of the third, fourth and fifth metacarpal heads are apparently longer and shorter than the inner and outer diameter of the iliac crest, respectively. The differences are statistically significant. The differences between arc length of the iliac crest and arc length of the second, fourth and fifth metacarpl head are statistically significant. However, the difference of arc length between the third metacarpal head and the ilium, as well as the difference of arc height between the second and third metacarpal heads and the iliac crest have no statistical significances, while the arc height of the fourth and fifth metacarpal heads are obviously smaller than that of the iliac crest.

CONCLUSIONSAutologous iliac crest is similar with metacarpal bone in anatomy, which might be a suitable donor for metacarpal bone transplantation.