Eurasian Journal of Chemical, Medicinal and Petroleum Research

Abstract Introduction: Scaphoid waist nonunion with avascular necrosis is a difficult reconstructive problem because impaired blood supply, instability, and deformity can compromise healing and function. Vascularized grafting has therefore emerged as a biologically appealing option to improve union in selected patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the early outcomes of the Mathoulin technique in scaphoid waist nonunion with avascular necrosis.

Material and methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at Shahid Madani Hospital, Tabriz, with a convenience sample of 50 eligible patients selected using the standard descriptive sample-size formula. Patients underwent evaluation and treatment with the Mathoulin technique, and demographic, clinical, radiographic, and early postoperative outcome variables were recorded to assess short-term surgical results.

Results: The cohort comprised 50 patients (mean age 34.8±9.6 years), predominantly men (64.0%), with avascular necrosis in all cases and a mean nonunion duration of 15.2±6.4 months. After the Mathoulin technique, pain, wrist motion, and grip strength improved significantly (VAS 6.9±1.2 to 2.1 1.0; flexion 41.3±8.7° to 55.6±7.9°; grip strength 19.4±5.3 to 28.7±6.1 kg; all P<0.001), and union was achieved in 88.0% of patients at 11.8±2.6 weeks. Smoking, prior surgery, longer nonunion, severe AVN, and humpback deformity were associated with poorer outcomes.

Conclusion: The Mathoulin technique provided encouraging early clinical and radiographic results for scaphoid waist nonunion with avascular necrosis, with high union rates and significant functional improvement. Outcomes were less favorable in patients with smoking, prior surgery, prolonged nonunion, severe AVN, or deformity, suggesting that careful patient selection remains important.

Abstract Introduction: Pediatric complete forearm fractures may redisplace after closed reduction, potentially causing functional impairment and requiring repeat intervention. Although long-arm and sugar-tong splints can restrict motion and accommodate swelling, the effectiveness of their combined use remains uncertain. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of combined sugar-tong and long-arm splinting on fracture displacement in children with complete forearm fractures.

Material and methods: This randomized clinical trial at Shohada Hospital, Tabriz, evaluated 50 children with complete forearm fractures requiring closed reduction (25 per group, calculated via the two-independent-means formula). Participants were randomly assigned to combined sugar-tong and long-arm splinting or standard long-arm splinting alone. Serial radiographs were obtained from post-reduction through early follow-up to evaluate changes in fracture angulation and translation between the two immobilization methods.

Results: The combined splint group maintained better alignment than the standard splint group, with lower AP angulation, lateral angulation, translation, and shortening at follow-up (week 1 and 2, all P≤0.001); it also had fewer losses of reduction (8.0% vs. 36.0%,P=0.014) and remanipulations (4.0% vs. 24.0%, P=0.037), while parental satisfaction was higher (8.6±1.1 vs. 6.8±1.5, P<0.001).

Conclusion: Combined sugar-tong and long-arm splinting was more effective than standard splinting in preserving reduction and preventing secondary displacement in children with complete forearm fractures, without increasing complications. This simple immobilization strategy may improve early fracture stability and reduce the need for repeat intervention.