Abstract Background Osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) is a debilitating condition. Vascularized iliac bone graft (VIBG) is a joint-preserving surgery to improve blood supply to the avascular portion of the femoral head which may delay secondary osteoarthritis and total hip arthroplasty (THA). However, whether VIBG will affect the subsequent THA survivorship and outcomes are still uncertain. Methods Implant survivorship and clinical outcomes were compared between 27 patients who had undergone prior VIBG and 242 patients who had only undergone THA for ONFH. Baseline characteristics and the postoperative Harris Hip Score (HHS) were also recorded and compared between the two groups. Implant survivorship was determined using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. Results The overall implant survival for all patients who had a primary diagnosis of ONFH and eventually underwent THA was 92.9%. There was no significant difference in the implant survivorship between the group who directly received THA (survivorship of 93%) and the group which failed VIBG and was subsequently converted to THA (survivorship of 91.9%) (p = 0.71). In addition, higher THA revision rates were associated with smokers and drinkers. Conclusions VIBG may be a reasonable option as a “buy-time” procedure for ONFH. Even if conversion to THA is eventually required, patients may be reassured that the overall survivorship and clinical outcomes may not be compromised. Patients are recommended to give up smoking and binge drinking prior to THA to increase implant survival rate.