The Sauvé-Kapandji Procedure for Chronic Dislocation of the Distal Radio-ulnar Joint with Destruction of the Articular Surface

The Sauvé-Kapandji procedure has been performed in 15 non-rheumatoid patients with chronic distal radio-ulnar joint dislocation accompanied by joint damage or deformity. The clinical results were favourable; wrist pain improved in all patients, wrist flexion-extension was increased by more than 10 degrees in nine patients, grip strength of at least 80% of the contralateral wrist was achieved in 11 patients, and forearm rotation was more than 150 degrees in 12 patients. However, X-ray examination revealed an unstable proximal ulnar stump and radio-ulnar convergence in all patients similar to that associated with the Darrach procedure. Although the Sauvé-Kapandji procedure can preserve ulnar support of the wrist and is believed to yield more satisfactory results than the Darrach procedure, its extensive use is not recommended for non-rheumatoid distal radio-ulnar joint disorders, but it is recommended for chronic distal radio-ulnar joint dislocation with articular injury or deformity.