[Primary fixation of displaced carpal scaphoid fractures with the Herbert-Whipple screw].
OBJECTIVE
We evaluated the results of primary open reduction and internal fixation with the Herbert-Whipple screw in acute displaced carpal scaphoid fractures.


METHODS
The study included 10 patients with acute displaced carpal scaphoid fractures and one patient with transscaphoid perilunate fracture dislocation. All the patients were males (mean age 34 years; range 23 to 44 years) and underwent primary open reduction and internal fixation with the Herbert-Whipple screw. The fractures were in the right and left wrists in nine and two patients, respectively. The mean follow-up period was 30 months (range 13 to 58 months).


RESULTS
No early or late complications were encountered. All fractures healed in a mean of 11 weeks (range 9 to 15 weeks). All patients returned to their previous employment between four and 14 weeks postoperatively, being a mean of five weeks (range 4 to 7 weeks) for those employed in office-work and 10 weeks (range 9 to 14 weeks) for others.


CONCLUSIONS
Primary open reduction and internal fixation with the Herbert-Whipple screw of acute displaced and unstable scaphoid fractures is an easy and reliable method leading to an uneventful union. Early operative intervention may avoid malunion, carpal instability, and radiocarpal osteoarthrosis that are often associated with closed treatment of these complex fractures.
Bagatur
A Erdem
AE
Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology (1. Ortopedi ve Travmatoloji Kliniği), SSK Istanbul Training Hospital, 34098 Kocamustafapaşa, Fatih, Turkey. bagatur@ixir.com
Zorer
Gazi
G
D000328:Adult; D001863:Bone Screws; D002348:Carpal Bones / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000379:methods*; D005596:Fractures, Closed / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D021361:Scaphoid Bone / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014954:Wrist Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*