Volar vascularized strut graft for avascular scaphoid nonunion using the 1,2 intercompartmental supraretinacular artery

In this retrospective study, we report the preliminary results of a novel technique for volar vascularized strut grafting to treat avascular scaphoid nonunion by using the 1,2 intercompartmental supraretinacular artery through a single incision. Forty-three of 45 patients with avascular scaphoid nonunion healed at a mean of 13 weeks (range, 3 to 10 mo). Complications consisted of 1 pin tract infection that resolved with oral antibiotics and 4 cases of transient dysesthesia of the radial sensory nerve. In 4 patients with equivocal radiographs, computed tomography scans confirmed bony union. The 2 patients who remained unhealed subsequently underwent proximal row carpectomy. Two other patients had persistent pain with the progression of radiocarpal arthritis. Our technique provides good results for the treatment of avascular scaphoid fracture nonunion. Notable advantages include performance through a single incision, use of an already established vascularized bone graft, volar graft placement, and no requirement for microvascular free graft reconstruction. It also provides the surgeon with the ability to adjust the procedure intraoperatively in the event of unexpected avascularity, without requiring substantially longer operative time or additional equipment.