High Rates of Union Following Arthroscopic Treatment of Scaphoid Non‐Union: A Systematic Review
Marion Burnier, Camille Bouteille, ReSurg, Maxime Cievet
Abstract
PURPOSE: To synthesize and analyze the existing literature and report on the outcomes of arthroscopic surgery for the treatment of scaphoid non-union (SNU). METHODS: This systematic review conforms to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines. The authors conducted a search using Medline and Embase databases. Studies that reported outcomes on arthroscopic nonvascularized bone graft for SNU treatment, with no limits to follow-up, sample sizes or prevalence were included. RESULTS: We found 17 eligible studies composed of 20 datasets, and all assessed nonvascularized arthroscopic treatment for SNU, with a mean follow-up that ranged from 6 to 38.5 months. Union rates ranged between 86% and 100%, and none of the studies reported any other complications than non-union following arthroscopic SNU. CONCLUSIONS: The present systematic review found union rates ranging between 86% and 100%, with a time to union ranging from 2.3 to 7.8 months. Furthermore, the included studies reported satisfactory clinical scores, and the complication rate of non-union ranged between 0% and 14%. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, systematic review of level II-IV studies.