OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical efficacy of radial artery recurrent branch of the styloid process bone flap transfer for treatment of scaphoid nonunion.

METHODSFrom 2002 to 2007, 18 patients with scaphoid nonunion included 12 males and 16 females with an average age of 31.2 years old ranging from l8 to 51 years. Time from injury to operation was 8 to 26 months (averaged 12.5 months). Radial bone flap blood supply by radial artery recurrent branch of styloid process was embedded in retrograde scaphoid shift distance at both ends, Kirschner wire fixed on the bone flap and bone fractures, and the radial styloid process was resected. Cast gypsum immobilization in a neutral place of wrist were performed for 6 to 8 weeks, the rehabilitation of physical therapy and functional exercise were performed after removal. Kirschner wire were removed after X-ray showed fracture healing.

RESULTSAmong them, 15 cases were followed-up for from 8 to 25 months (means 13 months). All fractures healed. The healing time was 8 to 12 weeks. According to adult forearm fracture evaluation of Anderson the results were excellent in 14 cases, good in 1.

CONCLUSIONThe radial artery recurrent branch of styloid process bone flap has a wealth of blood circulation, can make free grafting of the creeping substitution process directly into the healing process.