Factors Associated With Unplanned Reoperation After 4-Corner Arthrodesis: A Study of 478 Wrists

Brittany N Garcia; Chao-Chin Lu; Wei Chen; Andrew R Stephens; Nikolas H Kazmers; Brian C Sauer; Andrew Tyser

doi:10.1016/j.jhsg.2022.10.015

Factors Associated With Unplanned Reoperation After 4-Corner Arthrodesis: A Study of 478 Wrists

J Hand Surg Glob Online. 2022 Nov 26;5(1):1-5. doi: 10.1016/j.jhsg.2022.10.015. eCollection 2023 Jan.

Authors

Brittany N Garcia¹, Chao-Chin Lu^{2

3}, Wei Chen^{2

3}, Andrew R Stephens⁴, Nikolas H Kazmers¹, Brian C Sauer^{2

3}, Andrew Tyser¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Utah Hospital, Salt Lake City, UT.
² George E. Wahlen Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Salt Lake City Veterans Affairs IDEAS Center, Salt Lake City, UT.
³ Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT.
⁴ Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY.

Abstract

Purpose: The 4-corner arthrodesis (FCA) is a reliable, motion-sparing technique used to treat scapholunate advanced collapse and scaphoid nonunion advanced collapse arthritis, particularly in stage III wrists in which the capitolunate articulation is compromised. Surgical technique and patient-level variables may influence complications following FCA. We sought to evaluate the rate of complications in a large, combined database and manual chart review study.

Methods: Current Procedural Terminology codes were used to search the United States Veteran's Health Administration corporate database to identify wrists treated with FCA over a 24-year period. A retrospective chart review was completed to collect data regarding scapholunate advanced collapse/scaphoid nonunion advanced collapse stage, implant used, the use of a bone graft, smoking status, and comorbidities for all patients undergoing an FCA. A multivariable cox proportional hazards regression was used to assess hazard ratios for reoperation. Incidence rates and the standard error of the mean for reoperation and conversion to total wrist fusion were calculated after grouping patients by 10-year age categories.

Results: A total of 478 wrists underwent FCA during the study period, with a mean follow-up of 63 months. Seventy-three (16%) wrists required reoperation. The most frequent secondary procedures included unplanned implant removal (8.2%), total wrist arthrodesis (4.6%), and revision FCA (1.7%). Positive smoking history increased the risk of reoperation, whereas posterior interosseous nerve neurectomy, arthritis stage, and fixation type did not have a statistically significant association with reoperation. Younger age demonstrated an increased incidence of overall reoperation and wrist fusion.

Conclusions: The most common reason for reoperation after FCA was implant removal. Smoking history is associated with increased rates of reoperation and wrist arthrodesis. Knowledge of these factors may assist with accurately counseling and indicating patients for FCA.

Type of study/level of evidence: Therapeutic III.

Keywords: 4-corner arthrodesis; Arthrodesis; SLAC; SNAC; Wrist fusion.