title: The percutaneous antegrade scaphoid fracture fixation--a safe method?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The object of this study was to assess the risk of injury to tendons, nerves and vessels in percutaneous antegrade scaphoid fracture fixation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty cadaveric forearms were used in this study. A guide wire for cannulated headless compression screws was inserted percutaneously in each scaphoid according to established surgical technique.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No nerve or vessel injuries were observed. Tendons however were injured in 5 out of the 40 specimens. This included the extensor pollicis longus tendon in two specimens, the extensor carpi radialis tendon in two specimens and the extensor digitorum tendon in one specimen.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Soft tissue injuries may be avoided by extending the skin incision and performing blunt dissection down to guide wire and screw entry point. In this manner, dorsal antegrade fixation of scaphoid fractures by using cannulated headless compression screws can be considered to be a safe and reliable technique for fixation of scaphoid fractures.
authors.affiliation: Medical University of Graz, Department of Paediatric Surgery, Auenbruggerplatz 34, 8036 Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Annelie Martina
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Weinberg
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Pichler
authors.forename: Stephan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Grechenig
authors.forename: Norbert Peter
authors.initials: NP
authors.lastname: Tesch
authors.forename: Nima
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Heidari
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Grechenig
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001863:Bone Screws; D002102:Cadaver; D005260:Female; D005471:Fluoroscopy; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D021361:Scaphoid Bone / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000209:etiology*; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control