title: Modified Sauvé-Kapandji procedure for disorders of the distal radioulnar joint in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Sauvé-Kapandji procedure has become popular for the treatment of disorders of the distal radioulnar joint in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, but this procedure is impossible to perform in patients with poor bone quality in the distal part of the ulna. We have modified the procedure for patients with poor bone quality in the distal part of the ulna. The modified procedure involves resecting the distal part of the ulna, making a drill-hole in the ulnar cortex of the distal part of the radius, rotating the resected portion of the ulna 90 degrees , inserting it into the distal part of the radius, and fixing it at that site with use of an AO cancellous-bone screw. In the present report, we describe the new operative technique and report the results after a minimum duration of follow-up of three years.
  
  
  METHODS
  This operation was performed in fifty-six patients (sixty-six wrists) with rheumatoid arthritis. The mean age at the time of the operation was 59.3 years. The mean duration of follow-up was forty-eight months. Patients were evaluated in terms of wrist pain, grip strength, and range of motion. Radiographic evaluation included calculation of the carpal translation index to assess the extent of ulnar translation of the carpus.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Osseous union was achieved in all cases. Wrist pain resolved or decreased in all patients. The mean total range of forearm rotation increased from 144 degrees preoperatively to 167 degrees at the time of the most recent follow-up (p < 0.01). The mean carpal translation index did not change after the operation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The modified Sauvé-Kapandji procedure results in rigid fixation of the grafted bone. The technique provides sufficient osseous support of the carpus even in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and poor bone quality in the distal part of the ulna.
authors.affiliation: Osaka Rosai Hospital, Japan.
authors.forename: Satoru
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fujita
authors.forename: Kazuhiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Masada
authors.forename: Eiji
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Takeuchi
authors.forename: Masataka
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yasuda
authors.forename: Yoshio
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Komatsubara
authors.forename: Hideo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hashimoto
mesh_terms: D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D001174:Arthrodesis / Q000379:methods*; D001863:Bone Screws; D016025:Bone Transplantation / Q000379:methods; D002348:Carpal Bones / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D013997:Time Factors; D014457:Ulna / Q000601:surgery; D014955:Wrist Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*