Treatment of Scaphoid Nonunions Using a Pronator Quadratus Pedicled Bone Graft

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study was to evaluate the clinical results of the treatment of scaphoid nonunions using a pronator quadratus pedicled bone graft. METHODS: Thirteen patients with a scaphoid nonunion were treated with pronator quadratus pedicled bone graft. The average age of the patients was 20.23 years (range: 19-22 years) and the minimum follow-up period was one year. In all patients, bone grafting was performed and screw was fixed by using a volar aspect of distal radius bone graft with pronator quadratus muscle. RESULTS: All 13 patients showed radiographic union with the average union time of 10.8 weeks (range: 9-13 weeks). Flexion, extension, radial deviation and ulnar deviation of wrist joint improved compared to the preoperative condition (p<0.05). Postoperative scapholunate and radiolunate angle improved compared to the preoperative condition (p<0.05). Eleven patients (84.5%) showed excellent or good results according to Herbert and Fisher's score criteria of functional, subjective satisfaction and radiographic result. CONCLUSION: Pronator quadratus pedicled bone grafting can be considered to be easily accessible technique on vascularized bone graft for osteosynthesis of scaphoid nonunions. It is proved to be effective for bone union, increased wrist joint motion.