Scaphoid excision and limited wrist fusion

Description: The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical outcome, union rate, and complications of a consecutive series of Scaphoid excision and limited wrist arthrodesis performed by a single surgeon using distal radius bone graft and K-wires or circular plate fixation. A sequential series of ten patients(11 wrists) who were stabilized with temporary K-wires were compared to 11 patients (11 wrists) who were stabilized with a circular plate.
This study shows that equivalent results can be obtained using circular plate fixation compared to K-wires when equivalent bone graft source and fusion technique are used. If K-wire removal requires a return to the OR, circular plate fixation is more cost-effective.
Scaphoid excision and limited wrist fusion: a comparison of K-wire and circular plate fixation. Rodgers JA, Holt G, Finnerty EP, Miller B. Hand (N Y). 2008 Sep;3(3):276-81.