A recently published study describes an intraoperative imaging technique designed to improve the accuracy of scaphoid fracture fixation, a common wrist surgery in which precise screw placement is critical to bone healing.
The technique, known as the “bullseye” or “perfect dot” view, was developed by researchers including Nicholas Rose, MD, a hand and upper extremity surgeon at Irvine, Calif.-based Hoag Orthopedic Institute. The findings were published in the current issue of Techniques in Hand & Upper Extremity Surgery, according to a June 1 news release shared with Becker’s.
Scaphoid fractures can be difficult to heal because the bone has a limited blood supply. During surgery, physicians insert a headless screw to stabilize the fracture. The procedure’s success depends on positioning the screw through the center of the scaphoid while avoiding penetration of the bone’s outer cortex, which can contribute to cartilage damage and arthritis.
The new technique uses fluoroscopic imaging to align the C-arm directly with the axis of the guide pin and screw, creating a “bullseye” view that helps surgeons confirm central placement in real time. The approach can improve fixation stability and reduce the risk of screw misplacement, according to the release.
The imaging method can be used during both open and minimally invasive scaphoid fracture procedures, making it applicable across a range of surgical settings.
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