Vascularized bone graft from the palmar carpal artery for treatment of scaphoid nonunion

We report the use of a bone graft harvested from the palmar and ulnar aspect of the distal radius and vascularized by the palmar carpal artery for the treatment of scaphoid nonunion in 17 patients, ten of whom had already had unsuccessful surgery. Union was obtained in all cases at an average of 60 days (range, 45-90 days). The average follow-up was 16 months (range, 12-36 months). There were no failures.