[Treatment of irreparable scaphoid bone pseudarthrosis and necrosis by partial resection of the scaphoid].

After review of the literature on scaphoid pseudarthrosis and resection, the authors give an evaluation of twenty-five palliative operations for non-reconstructible scaphoid pseudarthrosis, (some in combination with resection of the styloid process). The results were generally good. Failures are found only in cases of insufficient proximal scaphoid resection or of preoperative wrist arthrosis which was too advanced. Partial resection of the scaphoid seems in most cases preferable to the alternative trans-scapho-lunar resection (resection of the lunate and the proximal half of the scaphoid as recommended by Steinhäuser). This bigger intervention seems justified only in cases of advanced arthrosis of the proximal wrist. In cases of severe generalised wrist arthrosis, however, arthrodesis is recommended.