Successful treatment of scaphoid fractures and nonunions using bioabsorbable screws: report of six cases.
OBJECTIVE
A variety of implants have been used for the fixation of scaphoid fractures, but we have found no reports on bioabsorbable screws used for this purpose. We report 6 cases of scaphoid fractures treated with bioabsorbable screws.


METHODS
Six patients with scaphoid waist region fractures (3) and nonunions (3) treated using bioabsorbable self-reinforced poly-L-lactide screws. Interposition of a bone graft from the iliac crest was used in 4 cases. Immobilization in a short arm-thumb spica cast was applied after surgery for an average of 8 weeks.


RESULTS
Solid union was achieved in 5 cases. Using the Mayo modified Green-O'Brien wrist score, we graded the results as excellent in 1 case, good in 4 cases, and poor in the single case of nonunion.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that bioabsorbable self-reinforced poly-L-lactide screws might offer an alternative in the fixation of scaphoid fractures and nonunions in the future, provided that cannulated screws of appropriate size will be available.
Kujala
Sauli
S
Department of Surgery, Oulu University Hospital, PO Box 21, FIN-90229 OYS, Oulu, Finland.
Raatikainen
Timo
T
Kaarela
Outi
O
Ashammakhi
Nureddin
N
Ryhänen
Jorma
J
D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D001863:Bone Screws; D016025:Bone Transplantation; D002370:Casts, Surgical; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000601:surgery*; D005599:Fractures, Ununited / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007085:Ilium / Q000637:transplantation; D007103:Immobilization; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011091:Polyesters; D021361:Scaphoid Bone / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011091:Polyesters; C033616:poly(lactide)