J Wrist Surg 2016; 05(02): 152-159
DOI: 10.1055/s-0036-1571280
Survey
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Classifications of Acute Scaphoid Fractures: A Systematic Literature Review

Paul W. Ten Berg
1   Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Hand Surgery, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
,
Tessa Drijkoningen
1   Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Hand Surgery, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
,
Simon D. Strackee
1   Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Hand Surgery, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
,
Geert A. Buijze
2   Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

18 November 2015

11 December 2015

Publication Date:
15 January 2016 (online)

Abstract

Background In the lack of consensus, surgeon-based preference determines how acute scaphoid fractures are classified. There is a great variety of classification systems with considerable controversies.

Purposes The purpose of this study was to provide an overview of the different classification systems, clarifying their subgroups and analyzing their popularity by comparing citation indexes. The intention was to improve data comparison between studies using heterogeneous fracture descriptions.

Methods We performed a systematic review of the literature based on a search of medical literature from 1950 to 2015, and a manual search using the reference lists in relevant book chapters. Only original descriptions of classifications of acute scaphoid fractures in adults were included. Popularity was based on citation index as reported in the databases of Web of Science (WoS) and Google Scholar. Articles that were cited <10 times in WoS were excluded.

Results Our literature search resulted in 308 potentially eligible descriptive reports of which 12 reports met the inclusion criteria. We distinguished 13 different (sub) classification systems based on (1) fracture location, (2) fracture plane orientation, and (3) fracture stability/displacement. Based on citations numbers, the Herbert classification was most popular, followed by the Russe and Mayo classifications. All classification systems were based on plain radiography.

Conclusions Most classification systems were based on fracture location, displacement, or stability. Based on the controversy and limited reliability of current classification systems, suggested research areas for an updated classification include three-dimensional fracture pattern etiology and fracture fragment mobility assessed by dynamic imaging.

 
  • References

  • 1 Peltier LF. The classic. Injuries of the wrist. A radiological study. By Etienne Destot. 1926. Clin Orthop Relat Res 1986; (202) 3-11
  • 2 Cravener EK, McElroy DG. Fractures of the carpal (navicular) scaphoid. Am J Surg 1939; 44 (1) 8
  • 3 Herbert TJ, Fisher WE. Management of the fractured scaphoid using a new bone screw. J Bone Joint Surg Br 1984; 66 (1) 114-123
  • 4 Cooney WP, Dobyns JH, Linscheid RL. Fractures of the scaphoid: a rational approach to management. Clin Orthop Relat Res 1980; (149) 90-97
  • 5 Russe O. Fracture of the carpal navicular. Diagnosis, non-operative treatment, and operative treatment. J Bone Joint Surg Am 1960; 42-A: 759-768
  • 6 Marsh JL, Slongo TF, Agel J , et al. Fracture and dislocation classification compendium - 2007: Orthopaedic Trauma Association classification, database and outcomes committee. J Orthop Trauma 2007; 21 (10, Suppl): S1-S133
  • 7 Green DP , ed. Operative Hand Surgery. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Churchill Livingstone; 1988
  • 8 Tubiana R , ed. The Hand. 1st ed. Philadelphia, PA: W.B. Saunders Company; 1985
  • 9 Tubiana R, Slade III JF , eds. Hand Clinics: Scaphoid Fractures. 1st ed. Philadelphia, PA: W.B. Saunders Company; 2001
  • 10 Nakamura R, Linscheid RL, Miura T , eds. Wrist Disorders. 1st ed.; Tokyo: Springer-Verslag; 1992
  • 11 Sandzen SC. Atlas of Wrist and Hand Fractures. 2nd ed. Littleton, MA: PSG Publishing Company; 1986
  • 12 Barton NJ , ed. Hand and Upper Limb: Fractures of the Hand and Wrist. 1st ed. New York, NY: Churchill Livingstone; 1988
  • 13 Cooney WP, Linscheid RL, Dobyns JH , eds. The Wrist Diagnosis and Operative Treatment. 1st ed. St. Louis, MO: Mosby; 1998
  • 14 Lichtman DM, Herbert Alexander A , eds. The Wrist and Its Disorders. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: W.B. Saunders; 1997
  • 15 Taleisnik J. The Wrist. 1st ed. New York, NY: Churchill Livingstone; 1985
  • 16 Razemon JP, Fisk GR , eds. The Wrist. 1st ed. New York, NY: Churchill Livingstone; 1988
  • 17 Sennwald G. The Wrist. 1st ed. Berlin: Springer-Verlag; 1987
  • 18 Slutsky DJ, Slade JF , eds. The Scaphoid. 1st ed. New York, NY: Thieme Medical; 2010
  • 19 Filan SL, Herbert TJ. Herbert screw fixation of scaphoid fractures. J Bone Joint Surg Br 1996; 78 (4) 519-529
  • 20 Bohler L, Trojan E, Jahna H. Treatment of 734 cases of fresh fracture of the scaphoid bone of the hand [in German]. Wiederherstellungschir Traumatol 1954; 2: 86-111
  • 21 Schernberg F, Elzein F, Gérard Y. Anatomo-radiological study of fractures of the carpal scaphoid bone. Problems of abnormal callus [in French]. Rev Chir Orthop Repar Appar Mot 1984; 70 (Suppl. 02) 55-63
  • 22 Prosser AJ, Brenkel IJ, Irvine GB. Articular fractures of the distal scaphoid. J Hand Surg [Br] 1988; 13 (1) 87-91
  • 23 Müller ME, Allgöwer M, Willenegger H. Technik der operativen Frakturenbehandlung. 1st ed. Berlin: Springer; 1963
  • 24 Pauwels F. Der schenkelhalsbruch ein mechanisches problem: Grundlagen des Haeilungsvorganges Prognose und kausale Therapie. Stuttgart: Ferdinand Enke Verlag; 1935
  • 25 Compson JP. The anatomy of acute scaphoid fractures: a three-dimensional analysis of patterns. J Bone Joint Surg Br 1998; 80 (2) 218-224
  • 26 McLaughlin HL, Parkes II JC. Fracture of the carpal navicular (scaphoid) bone: gradations in therapy based upon pathology. J Trauma 1969; 9 (4) 311-319
  • 27 Weber ER. Biomechanical implications of scaphoid waist fractures. Clin Orthop Relat Res 1980; (149) 83-89
  • 28 Garcia-Elias M, Lluch A. Partial excision of scaphoid: is it ever indicated?. Hand Clin 2001; 17 (4) 687-695 , x
  • 29 Buijze GA, Doornberg JN, Ham JS, Ring D, Bhandari M, Poolman RW. Surgical compared with conservative treatment for acute nondisplaced or minimally displaced scaphoid fractures: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Bone Joint Surg Am 2010; 92 (6) 1534-1544
  • 30 Symes TH, Stothard J. A systematic review of the treatment of acute fractures of the scaphoid. J Hand Surg Eur Vol 2011; 36 (9) 802-810
  • 31 Adolfsson L, Lindau T, Arner M. Acutrak screw fixation versus cast immobilisation for undisplaced scaphoid waist fractures. J Hand Surg [Br] 2001; 26 (3) 192-195
  • 32 Arora R, Gschwentner M, Krappinger D, Lutz M, Blauth M, Gabl M. Fixation of nondisplaced scaphoid fractures: making treatment cost effective. Prospective controlled trial. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 2007; 127 (1) 39-46
  • 33 McQueen MM, Gelbke MK, Wakefield A, Will EM, Gaebler C. Percutaneous screw fixation versus conservative treatment for fractures of the waist of the scaphoid: a prospective randomised study. J Bone Joint Surg Br 2008; 90 (1) 66-71
  • 34 Vinnars B, Pietreanu M, Bodestedt A, Ekenstam Fa, Gerdin B. Nonoperative compared with operative treatment of acute scaphoid fractures. A randomized clinical trial. J Bone Joint Surg Am 2008; 90 (6) 1176-1185
  • 35 Saedén B, Törnkvist H, Ponzer S, Höglund M. Fracture of the carpal scaphoid. A prospective, randomised 12-year follow-up comparing operative and conservative treatment. J Bone Joint Surg Br 2001; 83 (2) 230-234
  • 36 Bond CD, Shin AY, McBride MT, Dao KD. Percutaneous screw fixation or cast immobilization for nondisplaced scaphoid fractures. J Bone Joint Surg Am 2001; 83-A (4) 483-488
  • 37 Dias JJ, Wildin CJ, Bhowal B, Thompson JR. Should acute scaphoid fractures be fixed? A randomized controlled trial. J Bone Joint Surg Am 2005; 87 (10) 2160-2168
  • 38 Lozano-Calderón S, Blazar P, Zurakowski D, Lee SG, Ring D. Diagnosis of scaphoid fracture displacement with radiography and computed tomography. J Bone Joint Surg Am 2006; 88 (12) 2695-2703
  • 39 Desai VV, Davis TR, Barton NJ. The prognostic value and reproducibility of the radiological features of the fractured scaphoid. J Hand Surg [Br] 1999; 24 (5) 586-590
  • 40 Bhat M, McCarthy M, Davis TR, Oni JA, Dawson S. MRI and plain radiography in the assessment of displaced fractures of the waist of the carpal scaphoid. J Bone Joint Surg Br 2004; 86 (5) 705-713
  • 41 Temple CL, Ross DC, Bennett JD, Garvin GJ, King GJ, Faber KJ. Comparison of sagittal computed tomography and plain film radiography in a scaphoid fracture model. J Hand Surg Am 2005; 30 (3) 534-542
  • 42 Buijze GA, Guitton TG, van Dijk CN, Ring D ; Science of Variation Group. Training improves interobserver reliability for the diagnosis of scaphoid fracture displacement. Clin Orthop Relat Res 2012; 470 (7) 2029-2034
  • 43 Moritomo H. Radiographic clues for determining carpal instability and treatment protocol for scaphoid fractures. J Orthop Sci 2014; 19 (3) 379-383
  • 44 Luria S, Schwarcz Y, Wollstein R, Emelife P, Zinger G, Peleg E. 3-dimensional analysis of scaphoid fracture angle morphology. J Hand Surg Am 2015; 40 (3) 508-514
  • 45 Bruinsma WE, Guitton TG, Warner JJ, Ring D ; Science of Variation Group. Interobserver reliability of classification and characterization of proximal humeral fractures: a comparison of two and three-dimensional CT. J Bone Joint Surg Am 2013; 95 (17) 1600-1604
  • 46 Buijze GA, Ochtman L, Ring D. Management of scaphoid nonunion. J Hand Surg Am 2012; 37 (5) 1095-1100 , quiz 1101
  • 47 Swart E, Strauch RJ. Diagnosis of scaphoid fracture displacement. J Hand Surg Am 2013; 38 (4) 784-787 , quiz 787
  • 48 Steinmann SP, Adams JE. Scaphoid fractures and nonunions: diagnosis and treatment. J Orthop Sci 2006; 11 (4) 424-431
  • 49 Herbert TJ. The Fractured Scaphoid. 1st ed. St. Louis, MO: Quality Medical Publishing; 1990
  • 50 Buijze GA, Jørgsholm P, Thomsen NO, Bjorkman A, Besjakov J, Ring D. Diagnostic performance of radiographs and computed tomography for displacement and instability of acute scaphoid waist fractures. J Bone Joint Surg Am 2012; 94 (21) 1967-1974
  • 51 Moritomo H, Murase T, Oka K, Tanaka H, Yoshikawa H, Sugamoto K. Relationship between the fracture location and the kinematic pattern in scaphoid nonunion. J Hand Surg Am 2008; 33 (9) 1459-1468
  • 52 Buijze GA, Jørgsholm P, Thomsen NO, Björkman A, Besjakov J, Ring D. Factors associated with arthroscopically determined scaphoid fracture displacement and instability. J Hand Surg Am 2012; 37 (7) 1405-1410