Comparison of surgical outcomes of patients with vascularized or nonvascularized grafting in scaphoid nonunion surgery

Aim: We compare the results of scaphoid fracture nonunion surgeries involving vascularized bone grafting (VBG) or nonvascularized bone grafting (NVBG).Materials and Methods: This study was conducted with 34 patients with scaphoid fracture nonunion.Patients were divided into two groups, including those treated with VBG (n = 17) and those treated with NVBG (n = 17).Results: Union rates did not differ significantly between the VBG and NVBG groups (p = 0.335).There was also no significant difference in visual analogue scale (VAS) or Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) scores between the two groups.However, Mayo scores were significantly higher in the VBG group compared to the NVBG group (79.41 13.57 versus 64.41 25.67; p = 0.027).Discussion: In this study, union rates in patients who underwent scaphoid fracture nonunion surgery with VBG or NVBG were compatible with the literature, and both methods were found to be reliable.There was no statistical difference between them.