The Influence of Smoking on Healing of Scaphoid Non-union after a Vascularized Pedicle Bone Flap Operation: A Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: The purpose of this study is to compare the vascularized bone flaps (VBF) that are used in operations for scaphoid non-union in smokers and non-smokers and to scrutinize if the better biological potential of the VBFs can counteract the negative influence of smoking on healing.

Materials And Methods: Our study included articles published until 2016, with scaphoid non-union patients who were operated on with a VBF or a VBG.

Results: Eighteen articles met eligibility criteria with 335 non-smokers and 136 smokers totally.