Gadolinium Enhanced Mr Assessment of Proximal Fragment Vascularity in Nonunions after Scaphoid Fracture: Does It Predict the Outcome of Reconstructive Surgery?

2004 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 444-448 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.K. SINGH ◽  
T.R.C. DAVIS ◽  
J.S. DAWSON ◽  
J.A. ONI ◽  
N.D. DOWNING

This study investigated whether the outcome of bone graft and internal fixation surgery for nonunion of scaphoid fractures could be predicted by gadolinium-enhanced MR assessments of proximal fragment vascularity. Sixteen established scaphoid fracture nonunions underwent gadolinium-enhanced MR scanning before surgical treatment with bone grafting and internal fixation. No relationship was found between MR enhancement and the outcome of surgery. Union was achieved in eight of the 12 nonunions with more than 50% enhancement, and three of the four with less than 50% enhancement, of the proximal pole. Furthermore, union was achieved in both of the nonunions which had less than 25% enhancement of the proximal pole. We conclude that enhanced MR assessments of the vascularity of the proximal fragment of a scaphoid fracture nonunion do not accurately predict the outcome of reconstructive surgery.

2012 ◽  
Vol 37 (7) ◽  
pp. 690-693 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Singisetti ◽  
E. Aldlyami ◽  
A. Middleton

There has been a considerable evolution of screws used for internal fixation of scaphoid fractures. We discuss here, early results of a recently introduced implant Synthes 3.0 mm headless compression screw used for scaphoid fracture fixation. Twenty eight patients with scaphoid fractures (five acute and 23 nonunions) were treated with internal fixation by this non-variable pitch screw over a period of 18 months. All nonunions had pedicle vascularized bone grafting. All five patients with acute scaphoid fracture fixation had radiological healing at a mean of 8 weeks. Fifteen of 23 scaphoid fracture nonunions showed definite signs and a further seven showed probable signs of radiological healing at a mean of 8 months. One nonunion has failed to unite after surgery.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (10) ◽  
pp. 3414
Author(s):  
Harsha Vardhan ◽  
Anto Francis

Scaphoid fractures frequently present with nonunion and proximal pole necrosis, the treatment of which is bone grafting. Pronator quadratus pedicled vascularized bone graft is an option especially in the setting of proximal pole necrosis. We describe our experience of managing such scaphoid non-unions using pronator quadratus pedicled vascularized bone graft. Six patients were managed using pronator quadratus pedicled vascularized bone graft following scaphoid fracture nonunion with proximal pole necrosis. All patients had good fracture healing and symptom resolution. Mild deficit in wrist extension was noted in all patients. Pronator quadratus pedicled vascularized bone graft is an attractive option for managing scaphoid nonunion. Lying adjacent to the fracture site, bone can be harvested and transferred without making any other incisions. This procedure introduces another source of blood supply to the fracture site and hence improves fracture healing.


Hand Surgery ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 20 (01) ◽  
pp. 167-171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert H. Ablove ◽  
Samuel S. Abrams

Scaphoid non-union, particularly following internal fixation, is a vexing problem. A retrospective review was conducted analysing the outcome of 4 patients who failed initial open reduction and internal fixation of scaphoid fractures. Three fractures were located in the waist and the fourth in the proximal pole. All patients underwent screw exchange and Bone Morphogenic Protein (BMP)-2 sponge placement with no additional bone grafting. Patients were immobilised for 4 weeks and followed with serial radiographs in all cases and CT scans in 3 cases. All patients demonstrated evidence of bony union at an average of 53 days from surgery and ultimately returned to pain-free full activity. There were no complications. BMP-2 and screw exchange yielded a 100% union rate in patients with established scaphoid non-union. While this retrospective study represents a small number of patients and clearly requires further investigation, it presents a promising technique for managing a difficult clinical problem.


2017 ◽  
Vol 07 (01) ◽  
pp. 081-083
Author(s):  
Nicholas Riley ◽  
Ian McNab ◽  
Neal Rupani

Background Scaphoid fractures in the pediatric population are rare. The majority of nondisplaced fractures tend to unite; however, there is an increased risk of nonunion in proximal pole fractures. Limited evidence exists in their outcomes, owing to the scarcity of the fracture pattern. Case Description A 13-year-old boy who presented late after developing a traumatic proximal pole scaphoid fracture developed nonunion. He was treated conservatively owing to it being asymptomatic and developed union at 18 months. Literature Review No previous case of proximal pole pediatric scaphoid fractures with established nonunion that has developed union with conservative management has been described. Clinical Relevance The authors highlight a unique case of an established proximal pole scaphoid nonunion in a child progressing to union with nonoperative intervention. Owing to its rarity and difficulty in obtaining research, we recommend consideration of nonoperative management of asymptomatic nondisplaced proximal pole fractures in children.


2020 ◽  
Vol 09 (02) ◽  
pp. 141-149
Author(s):  
Pooja Prabhakar ◽  
Lauren Wessel ◽  
Joseph Nguyen ◽  
Jeffrey Stepan ◽  
Michelle Carlson ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Nonunion after open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of scaphoid fractures is reported in 5 to 30% of cases; however, predictors of nonunion are not clearly defined. Objective The purpose of this study is to determine fracture characteristics and surgical factors which may influence progression to nonunion after scaphoid fracture ORIF. Patients and Methods We performed a retrospective case–control study of scaphoid fractures treated by early ORIF between 2003 and 2017. Inclusion criteria were surgical fixation within 6 months from date of injury and postoperative CT with minimum clinical follow-up of 6 months to evaluate healing. Forty-eight patients were included in this study. Nonunion cases were matched by age, sex, and fracture location to patients who progressed to fracture union in the 1:2 ratio. Results This series of 48 patients matched 16 nonunion cases with 32 cases that progressed to union. Fracture location was proximal pole in 15% (7/48) and waist in 85% (41/48). Multivariate regression demonstrated that shorter length of time from injury to initial ORIF and smaller percent of proximal fracture fragment volume were significantly associated with scaphoid nonunion after ORIF (63 vs. 27 days and 34 vs. 40%, respectively). Receiver operating curve analysis revealed that fracture volume below 38% and time from injury to surgery greater than 31 days were associated with nonunion. Conclusion Increased likelihood for nonunion was found when the fracture was treated greater than 31 days from injury and when fracture volume was less than 38% of the entire scaphoid. Level of Evidence This is a Level III, therapeutic study.


Hand ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 155894472093736
Author(s):  
Rachel E. Hein ◽  
Amanda N. Fletcher ◽  
Rose T. Tillis ◽  
Eric Q. Pang ◽  
David S. Ruch ◽  
...  

Background: The purpose of our study was to review a series of patients with scaphoid fractures to determine whether there was an association between lunate morphology and progression to delayed union or nonunion when treated operatively or nonoperatively. Secondary aims included evaluation of the relationship between lunate morphology and scaphoid fracture location. Methods: A retrospective review of all patients with a diagnosis of scaphoid fracture was performed at our institution between 2014 and 2017. Medical records and radiographs were evaluated to determine lunate morphology, scaphoid fracture location, treatment, and time to union. Differences between groups were determined using χ2 analysis with significance set at P <.05. Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate scaphoid union in the setting of lunate morphology when controlling for confounders. Results: A total of 169 patients were included; 45.0% (n = 76) of patients had type I lunate morphology, and 55.0% (n = 93) had type II. In all, 64.5% (n = 49) of patients with type I lunate and 68.8% (n = 64) with type II lunate had a fracture at the scaphoid waist. Among all patients with a scaphoid fracture, type II lunates were more likely than type I lunates to progress to nonunion when treated both operatively and nonoperatively (18.3% vs 4.0%, P = .0042). Lunate facet size was not shown to be a significant risk factor for nonunion among patients with a type II lunate ( P = .4221). Conclusions: Patients with a scaphoid fracture and type II lunate morphology were more likely to progress to nonunion than patients with a type I lunate.


2002 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. EGGLI ◽  
D. L. FERNANDEZ ◽  
T. BECK

A retrospective review of 37 patients with scaphoid fracture nonunions treated by interpositional bone grafting and internal fixation was conducted at an average follow-up of 5.7 years. Solid radiographic union was achieved in 35 cases. Preexisting avascular necrosis was a major adverse factor for achievement of union and satisfactory outcome. Based on the modified Mayo wrist-scoring system, 15 patients had an excellent result, 11 had a good result, four had a fair result and seven had a poor result. Patients with preexisting degenerative changes had a significantly worse clinical outcome. The vast majority of the patients had satisfactory correction of scaphoid length and the associated dorsal intercalated segment instability (DISI). Although 30 patients showed radiographic evidence of mild or moderate degenerative changes at their latest follow-up, there was no significant progression of arthrosis and the scaphoid nonunion advanced carpal collapse deformity did not progress after healing of the fracture nonunion.


2019 ◽  
Vol 08 (06) ◽  
pp. 446-451
Author(s):  
Tessa Drijkoningen ◽  
Amin Mohamadi ◽  
Wouter F. van Leeuwen ◽  
Yonatan Schwarcz ◽  
David Ring ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective To analyze the reproducibility, reliability, and demographics of a simplified anatomical scaphoid fracture classification based on posteroanterior radiographs using a large database of scaphoid fractures. Methods The study consisted of a retrospective review of electronic medical records of 871 consecutive patients. All patients presented between 2003 and 2014 at two centers. Patient- and surgeon-related factors were analyzed. Additionally, interobserver reliability of the Herbert and simplified scaphoid fracture classifications were tested. Results Proximal pole fractures were defined as fractures in which the center of the fracture line was proximal to the distal scapholunate interval (n = 30), waist fractures (n = 802) were defined as fractures involving the scaphocapitate interval, and distal tubercle fractures (n = 39) were defined as fractures involving the scaphotrapeziotrapezoid (STT) interval. The interobserver reliability of the simplified classification was fair (κ = 0.37) as for the Herbert classification (κ = 0.31). The average doubt of the answers of the observers was 2.1 on a scale from 0 to 10 for the simplified classification and 3.6 for the Herbert classification (P < 0.05). Conclusions All complete fractures across the entire scaphoid distal to the scapholunate articulation and proximal to the STT joint can be classified as waist fractures; nonwaist scaphoid fractures are uncommon (6%) and have somewhat different presentations compared to waist fractures. Simplifying the fracture classification slightly improves interobserver reliability, although remaining fair, and significantly reduces doubt. Level of Evidence This is a Level III, prognostic study.


2019 ◽  
Vol 44 (7) ◽  
pp. 676-684 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohannad B. Ammori ◽  
Michael Elvey ◽  
Samer S. Mahmoud ◽  
Alex J. Nicholls ◽  
Simon Robinson ◽  
...  

Data on 806 patients undergoing bone graft surgery for a scaphoid fracture nonunion were retrospectively collected at 19 centres in the United Kingdom. Each centre contributed at least 30 cases. Sufficient data were available in 462 cases to study factors that influenced the outcome of surgery. Overall union occurred in at least 69%, and nonunion in at least 22%, with 9% of cases having ‘uncertain union status’. Union appeared to be adversely influenced by smoking and the time between acute scaphoid fracture and nonunion surgery, with adjusted odds ratios of 1.8 and 2.4, respectively, but neither achieved the pre-determined significance level of 0.003. The type of bone graft (vascular vs non-vascular; iliac crest vs distal radius) did not appear to influence outcome. Further large multicentre prospective studies with clear definitions of ‘union’ and other factors are needed to clarify whether modification of surgical technique can influence union. Level of evidence: IV


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