title: Prognostic factors in the treatment of carpal scaphoid non-unions.
abstract: In this literature review, the authors analyse the prognostic factors in the curative treatment of scaphoid non-unions. The main negative prognostic factors are smoking, the time elapsed since the fracture, and avascular necrosis of the proximal fragment. If the latter is present, the revascularization by a pedicle or microsurgical bone autograft is probably the treatment of choice. In non-unions without evidence of osteonecrosis, vascularized bone grafts are probably not superior to conventional bone grafts, which can presently be performed under arthroscopic control, with minimal morbidity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Erasme University Hospital, Université libre de Bruxelles, 808 route de Lennik, 1070, Brussels, Belgium. Frederic.Schuind@Erasme.ulb.ac.be.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Schuind
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Erasme University Hospital, Université libre de Bruxelles, 808 route de Lennik, 1070, Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Moungondo
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Erasme University Hospital, Université libre de Bruxelles, 808 route de Lennik, 1070, Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: El Kazzi
mesh_terms: D016025:Bone Transplantation / Q000379:methods; D002348:Carpal Bones / Q000293:injuries*; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D017102:Fracture Healing / Q000502:physiology; D005599:Fractures, Ununited / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000379:methods; D011379:Prognosis; D021361:Scaphoid Bone / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery
keywords: Autograft; Prognostic factors; Scaphoid non-union