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J Wrist Surg
DOI: 10.1055/a-2710-9255
Scientific Article

Revision Rates Following Scapholunate Ligament Repair and Reconstruction: A Multi-Institutional Database Study and Review of Literature

Authors

  • Matthew V. Abola 

    1   Department of Hand and Upper Extremity, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York, United States

  • Billy I. Kim

    1   Department of Hand and Upper Extremity, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York, United States

  • Troy B. Amen

    1   Department of Hand and Upper Extremity, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York, United States

  • Rafa Rahman

    1   Department of Hand and Upper Extremity, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York, United States

  • Kartik Reddy 

    1   Department of Hand and Upper Extremity, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York, United States

  • Steve K. Lee

    1   Department of Hand and Upper Extremity, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York, United States
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Abstract

Purpose

Scapholunate (SL) ligament tears represent a significant challenge in hand surgery, with implications for wrist stability, function, and the prevention of arthritis. Despite various SL ligament repair and reconstructive techniques, there is a lack of consensus on the overall revision rate. The following study was undertaken to identify revision rates following SL repair or reconstruction utilizing a multi-institutional database with long-term follow-up (greater than 5 years).

Materials and Methods

This study utilized the PearlDiver Mariner 161 Database. Patients who had undergone SL repair with a diagnosis of SL ligament tear prior to or on the same day of surgery were identified using Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) and International Classification of Diseases (ICD-9 and ICD-10) codes. There were 1,320 patients identified, of which 1,228 patients had a minimum active period of 90 days after surgery and were included in the study.

Results

Out of 1,228 patients, 110 (9.0%) patients underwent any secondary procedure after their index surgery. The most common secondary procedure was revision SL ligament repair/reconstruction (n = 48, 3.9%), followed by proximal row carpectomy (PRC; n = 29, 2.4%), and partial wrist arthrodesis (n = 22, 1.8%). About 54 (4.4%) patients underwent secondary salvage procedures (PRC, partial and complete wrist fusions) after their index surgery. Additionally, review of revision rates reported in the current literature ranged from 2% to 20% when evaluating reoperations following repair or reconstruction of the SL ligament.

Conclusion

In this large multi-institutional database study, the revision rate following SL ligament repair or reconstruction to a secondary salvage procedure was 4.4%. Despite several different reconstruction and repair methods for the SL ligament, there is a relatively low revision rate reported in our multi-institutional database study.

Clinical Relevance

This study was undertaken to identify revision rates following SL repair/reconstruction, which helps evaluate the long-term success of these procedures.

Keywords

scapholunate ligament - repair - reconstruction - revision

Supplementary Material



Publication History

Received: 12 June 2025

Accepted: 26 September 2025

Article published online:
14 October 2025

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