High rates of union following arthroscopic treatment of scaphoid non-union: systematic review

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this systematic review was to synthesize and analyse the existing literature and report on the outcomes of arthroscopic surgery for the treatment of SNU.

Methods

This systematic review conforms to the PRISMA guidelines. The authors conducted a search using Medline and Embase® databases. Studies that reported outcomes on arthroscopic non-vascularized bone graft for SNU treatment, with no limits to follow-up, sample sizes or prevalence were included.

Results

We found 17 eligible studies comprised of 20 datasets, and all assessed non-vascularized arthroscopic treatment for SNU, with a mean follow-up that ranged from 6 to 38.5 months. Union rates ranged between 86%-100%, and none of the studies reported any other complications than non-union following arthroscopic SNU.

Conclusion

The present systematic review found union rates ranging between 86%-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%-14%.

Level of Evidence

Systematic review of level II-IV studies