title: In scaphoid non-union, does the source of graft affect outcome? Iliac crest versus distal end of radius bone graft.
abstract: Iliac crest bone grafts are sometimes preferred to other bone grafts for the treatment of non-unions of fractures of the scaphoid as they are claimed to have better osteogenic potential and biomechanical properties. We retrospectively studied a consecutive cohort of 68 symptomatic established scaphoid non-unions treated by bone grafting. An iliac crest graft was used in 44 cases and a distal radius graft in the other 24. The two treatment groups were comparable in terms of location of the fracture, duration of the non-union and the fixation implants used. Overall union was achieved in 45 of the 68 patients (66%) and the union rate was not influenced by the type of bone graft used. Twenty-nine of the 44 treated with iliac crest bone graft (66%) and 16 of the 24 (67%) treated with distal radial graft united. Donor site pain over the iliac crest was present in nine of the 44 patients in this group.
authors.affiliation: Wrightington Hospital, Wrightington, Wigan & Leigh NHS Trust, Wigan, UK. anant_tambe@yahoo.com
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Tambe
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cutler
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Murali
authors.forename: I A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Trail
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Stanley
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001863:Bone Screws; D016025:Bone Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D001864:Bone Wires; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal; D017102:Fracture Healing; D005599:Fractures, Ununited / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007085:Ilium / Q000637:transplantation*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011884:Radius / Q000637:transplantation*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D021361:Scaphoid Bone / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery*