Volar distal radius vascularized bone graft vs non-vascularized bone graft: a prospective comparative study

The pseudoarthrosis (PSA) of scaphoid leads to alteration in load transfer in the wrist joint. Its treatment aims to achieve consolidation to improve clinical complaints and prevent post-traumatic arthritis. The indication for using vascularized bone grafts is still controversial. This prospective comparative study aimed to compare consolidation rate and time to healing of scaphoid PSA treated by volar distal radius vascularized bone graft vs non-vascularized iliac bone graft. Nine patients underwent vascularized grafting of scaphoid PSA. These patients were compared to a control group consisting of twelve patients treated with iliac crest-free bone graft. PSA consolidation was obtained in 8 of 9 patients (88%) and 9 of 12 patients (75%) in the study and control group, respectively. The difference in consolidation rate was not significant. Two of three patients with AVN of the proximal pole in the study group (66%) went to consolidation. In the control group no patient with AVN obtained bone consolidation. This difference almost reached statistical significance (p = 0.083). The mean time to consolidation was 8.6 weeks (range 8-11) and 11.7 weeks (range 10-16), respectively, in the study and control group. This difference was significant (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the distal radius vascularized graft led to satisfactory consolidation rate of PSA in the current study, even in cases of AVN of the proximal pole. Moreover, the vascularized bone graft resulted in shorter healing time compared to the non-vascularized graft.