title: Bioabsorbable fixation of scaphoid fractures and non-unions; analysis of early clinical outcomes.
abstract: The vast majority of devices used for internal fixation of the scaphoid are metallic. This two-center study aimed to report the results of scaphoid fixation using a cannulated, bioabsorbable device made from a hydroxyapatite and poly-L-lactide composite in 29 consecutive patients. Fixation was performed for seven acute fractures and twenty-two established non-unions. Union was achieved in 72.4% of patients. Six of the acute fractures and fifteen of the non-unions united successfully. Modified Mayo Wrist Score ranged between good to excellent in all patients who successfully united, whereas patients who failed to unite ranged between poor to excellent, with one poor and two moderate scores. No adverse biocompatibility reactions were seen. Two failures with broken screws were re-explored and one of these was thought to be due to screw mal-placement. The device used is an alternative to conventional metal implants and produces comparable union rates to metallic devices in the short term.
authors.affiliation: South Birmingham Hand Unit, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, UK.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ya'ish
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Bailey
authors.forename: C P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Craigen
mesh_terms: D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001863:Bone Screws; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000379:methods*; D017102:Fracture Healing; D005599:Fractures, Ununited / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D011885:Radius Fractures / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D021361:Scaphoid Bone / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014954:Wrist Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D014955:Wrist Joint / Q000503:physiopathology; D055815:Young Adult