Scaphoid nonunion with avascular necrosis of the proximal pole - Treatment with a vascularized bone graft from the dorsum of the distal radius

Scaphoid nonunion with avascular necrosis of the proximal pale remains a difficult problem. We have endeavoured to heal the fracture, restore scaphoid height and revascularize the proximal pole of the scaphoid by means of a vascularized dorsal interposition graft from the distal radius, The procedure has resulted in union of six of ten fractures, Fractures that healed had not been treated by a previous bone grafting procedure. Dissatisfaction was due to loss of motion in patients who had healed fractures, and pain in those patients with persistent non-unions.