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Published in: HAND 4/2010

01-12-2010 | Review Articles of topics

Treatment of acute scaphoid fractures: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Authors: Nina Suh, Eric C. Benson, Kenneth J. Faber, Joy MacDermid, Ruby Grewal

Published in: HAND | Issue 4/2010

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Abstract

Background/Methods

The purpose of this review was to assess the current evidence supporting operative fixation versus casting for acute scaphoid fractures through a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature.

Results

Our search yielded 59 articles that met our inclusion criteria with five studies achieving high, 22 moderate, and 32 low Structured Effectiveness Quality Evaluation Scale scores. Pooled results of the four Sackett level 1 evidence studies showed no significant difference between the operative (114/115, 99%) versus non-operative group (106/112, 95%) (p = 0.07) when the definition of nonunion was based on more definitive criterion versus plain radiographs that may be insufficient to assess bony union. Similar results were found for the Sackett level 2 and 4 articles.

Conclusions

This systematic review reveals that significant weaknesses exist in the literature with respect to the level of evidence and quality of published studies on this topic. Currently, there is insufficient evidence to support the most effective treatment for acute scaphoid fractures.
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Metadata
Title
Treatment of acute scaphoid fractures: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors
Nina Suh
Eric C. Benson
Kenneth J. Faber
Joy MacDermid
Ruby Grewal
Publication date
01-12-2010
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
HAND / Issue 4/2010
Print ISSN: 1558-9447
Electronic ISSN: 1558-9455
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11552-010-9276-6

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