Computer-assisted Surgery for Scaphoid Fracture.

The computer-assisted surgery (CAS) has significantly improved the accuracy, reliability and outcomes of traumatic, spinal, nerve surgery and many other operations with a less invasive way. The application of CAS for scaphoid fractures remains experimental. The related studies are scanty and most of them are cadaver researches. Some intrinsic defects from the registration procedure, scan and immobilization of limbs may inevitably result in deviations. Some deviations become more obvious with operations of small bones (such as scaphoid) although they are acceptable for spine and other orthopedic surgeries. We reviewed the current literatures on the applications of CAS for scaphoid operation and summarized technical principles, scan and registration methods, immobilization of limbs and their outcomes. On the basis of the data, we analyzed the limitations of this technique and envisioned its future development.