Modified Sauvé-Kapandji procedure for the distal radioulnar joint disorders of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract Background The Sauve-Kapandji (SK) procedure is one of several surgical options in the treatment of distal radioulnar disorders by osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). While satisfactory postoperative clinical results were obtained in most cases, instability of the proximal ulnar stump and radioulnar convergence are the most common complications. Minami et al. have developed a modification of the SK procedure that maintains the transverse diameter of the distal radioulnar joint and stabilizes the proximal ulnar stump, using a half-slip of the extensor carpi ulnaris tendon. In this study, the modified SK procedure was performed on 83 patients with distal radioulnar disorders, due to OA and RA. Materials and methods We evaluated the clinical and radiographical postoperative results with an average follow-up period of 82.3 months. Results Post-operative extension of the wrist and pronation/supination of the forearm had significantly improved with the exception of wrist flexion. Postoperative x-rays showed no instability of the proximal ulnar stump in both coronal and lateral planes. However, breakage of the drilled hole at the proximal ulnar stump occurred in 10 cases, and of these, there was instability of the proximal ulnar stump in 5 cases. Conclusions This modification is very simple and does not require extension of the surgical field. This paper concludes that the modified SK procedure is a safe and effective surgical intervention of distal radioulnar disorders from OA and RA.