The Fragmented Proximal Pole Scaphoid Nonunion Treated With Rib Autograft: Case Series and Review of the Literature

Nonunions of the proximal pole of the scaphoid are a challenge to treat given the limited vascular supply. This challenge is potentiated when the proximal pole is unsalvageable. When the proximal pole of the scaphoid is fragmented or otherwise unsalvageable, traditional reconstructive procedures such as vascularized or nonvascularized bone grafting are not possible. Salvage procedures such as proximal row carpectomy or scaphoid excision and partial wrist fusion would not be ideal in the case of an unsalvageable proximal pole scaphoid nonunion in the absence of radiocarpal arthrosis. In this relatively uncommon circumstance, we favor the use of rib osteochondral autograft reconstruction of the proximal pole of the scaphoid. We report 3 cases with greater than 2-years of follow-up evaluation and also review the literature.