Scaphoid pseudoarthrosis: experience with vascularized bone graft of the first metacarpal. Case series

Abstract

Background: The aim of study is to describe the clinical, functional, and radiological results in patients with pseudoarthrosis of scaphoid fractures who that underwent surgery using Bertelli’s et al. technique.
Methods: Case series of patients with nonunion of scaphoid fractures in a high complexity care center between 2005 and 2016, who underwent revision surgery with vascularized bone graft of the first metacarpal dorsal artery according to Bertelli’s et al. technique. Data were collected from clinical records, and it waswere analyzed using descriptive summary measures.
Results: The analysis included 11 patients with a mean age of 30,1 years (S.D: 9). 72,7% of the patients underwent conventional osteosynthesis as the initial approach. The revision surgery was performed with a median of 380 days (interquartile range: 194-470); there were no intraoperative complications. Post- surgery complications, such as graft necrosis, were reported in a one patient (9,1%), the need of for re-intervention in four patients and there were no infection related complications. Fracture union was seen in 72,7% patients in a mean of 7,6 months (S.D: 2,9) after the intervention. Half of the patient had a DASH score of 9 points or less. 54,5 reported pain as mild, 36,4% as moderate and without pain 9,1%. The median follow up period was 14 months and only one patient developed carpal arthritis.
Discussion: The advantage of this surgical technique is its reproducibility and versatility, thanks due to the constant and long vascular pedicle; this allows using dorsal or palmar approaches, as well as for the management of scaphoid nonunions of the proximal pole, waist, or distal pole. This study shows good clinical and functional results outcomes with a low rate of complications.
Evidence Level: IV