Percutaneous Screw Fixation for Acute Scaphoid Fractures Through K-wire-assisted Reduction and Maintenance

Abstract Background: Percutaneous screw fixation was introduced for acute scaphoid fractures through K-wire-assisted reduction and maintenance, and the effectiveness of the methods was evaluated.Methods: Ten patients with acute scaphoid fractures were consecutively treated with the proposed technique from January 2015 to December 2018. With the wrist placed in ulnar deviation, one K-wire was introduced perpendicularly through the styloid process of radius into the proximal pole of scaphoid under fluoroscopic guidance. The scaphoid fragment was reduced by dorsiflexing the wrist and translating the distal pole into an extended position. A headless compression screw was then inserted in a standardised manner. Operation time, time to union, time to return to previous activity and complication were recorded. Function outcomes including pain, work status, range of motion (ROM) and grip strength were assessed according to the modified Mayo wrist scoring system.Results: Final follow-up examination was performed on an average of 12 months (range, 10–15 months) after surgery. No immediate postoperative complication occurred. All scaphoid fractures united at an average of 9.2 weeks (range, 7–11.4 weeks). The following average values were achieved: operation time was 48.2 minutes (range, 38–65 minutes), the time that patients returned to previous activity levels was 9.4 weeks (range, 7–11 weeks) and function scores were 92.5 (range, 80–100). At 3 months post-operation, the wrist range of motion was generally 62.5° wrist extension (range, 50°–70°) and 68.2° wrist flexion (range, 55°–75°). Grip strength was approximately 40.1 kg (range, 28–45 kg) and 83.5% (range, 85%–100%) of the contralateral sides. The mean post-operative height-to-length ratio was 0.61.Conclusions: Our novel percutaneous screw fixation method is beneficial to minimise injury to the blood supply of the scaphoid. Primary percutaneous screw fixation for acute scaphoid fractures is a superior method with reduced time to bony union, early return to daily activity or employment and predictably lessened complications of wrist stiffness, diminished grip strength, delayed union, non-union and osteonecrosis.Trial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov; NCT04482868; Registered 19 July 2020-Retrospectively registered.