Transfer of vascular pedicled free medial femoral condyle bone flap in treatment of scaphoid nonunion / 中华显微外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To investigate the clinical effect of the free medial femoral condylar bone flap in treatment of scaphoid nonunion.Methods:From May, 2012 to May, 2016, 15 patients, which were 10 males and 5 females and aged from 18 to 63 (mean 43.5±15.5) years, with scaphoid nonunion were treated with transfer of free medial femoral condyle bone flaps. After debridement of the fractural segment in surgery, the bone flap was transferred to scaphoid and had the bone defect filled. The artery of the bone flap was end-to-side or end-to-end anastomosed to the radial artery. The concomitant vein of the bone flap was end-to-end anastomosed to the concomitant vein of the radial artery. Thirteen patients were treated with the free osteoperiosteal medial femoral condylar graft, and 2 were treated with the free osteochondral medial femoral condylar graft. Fracture healing was evaluated based on X-ray evidence. The clinical effect was evaluated by visual analogue scale (VAS), strength of grip and modified Mayo wrist score. The t-test was used to compare the function between before and after surgery. Results:All patients were entered into a followed-up for an average of 32.5 (8-60) months, 11 of them took the follow-up reviews at the outpatient clinic and 4 via WeChat distanced interviews. All fractures of the 15 patients healed with an average healing time at 12.5 (10-16) weeks. The VAS score decreased from (3.5±1.5) before the surgery to (1.0±1.0) after the surgery. The strength of grip increased from (16.5±4.3) kg before the surgery to (31.5±3.5) kg at the last follow-up review. The modified Mayo wrist score increased from (46.2 ±11.4) before the surgery to (68.5 ±10.8) at the last follow-up review. The wrist function was excellent in 8 patients, good in 6 and fair in 1. There was significant difference in functional evaluation ( P<0.05). Conclusion:The transfer of free medial femoral condylar bone flap is effective in the treatment of scaphoid nonunion. This technique provides both of sufficient blood supply and a structural support for defected scaphoid bone and promotes the healing of fracture. Osteochondral flap transfer may be used as an alternative measure to prevent wrist osteoarthritis and collapse, in the case that there is an avascular necrosis of the proximal pole of the scaphoid. It has an advantage in the treatment of refractory scaphoid nonunion.