The surgical approach and source of bone graft for symptomatic nonunion of the scaphoid

In 2 groups of patients (39 total) treated by bone grafting for scaphoid nonunions, one group had a dorsal or dorsolateral surgical approach with a bone graft from the radius while the other group had a volar approach with an iliac graft. The best results were obtained with an iliac graft. Through the volar approach it is relatively easy to avoid damage to the scaphoid arterial supply. A small proximal vascular pole led to a failure rate of 36%.