Does the term scaphocapitate syndrome need to be revised? A report of 6 cases.

This is a retrospective study of six patients with displaced fractures of the neck of the capitate. In four of the six patients the diagnosis was delayed by at least 1 week. After open reduction and internal fixation the results were assessed as excellent (three cases), fair (two cases) or poor (one case). In all cases there was a concomitant injury to the radial side of the wrist: in four cases this was a fracture of the waist of the scaphoid. In five of the six cases there was also an injury to the ulnar side of the wrist. As a scaphoid fracture does not always occur with the fracture of the neck of the capitate, we consider the term "scaphocapitate syndrome" inappropriate for this injury.