[Kapandji-Sauvé procedure for chronic disorders of the distal radioulnar joint with special regard to the long-term results].

We present the preliminary results of a retrospective study on 56 patients who underwent the Kapandji-Sauvé procedure for chronic disorders of the distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ). Outcome was assessed with special regard to the long-term results. The average follow-up was 5.9 years (1 to 12 years). 15 of the 56 operations were performed before 1996. Most procedures were performed because of secondary arthrosis or chronic dislocation of the DRUJ after distal radius fracture. Patients were assessed for pain, range of motion of wrist and forearm and radiological features. The DASH score and Mayo wrist score were used. Pain was improved in 94 % of the patients, but only 53 % were free of symptoms during heavy manual labour concerning the operated site. In four cases symptoms of ulnar impingement were found. Improvement in range of motion of wrist and forearm was significant. The post-operative DASH score was 22.6 +/- 20.0 and the Mayo wrist score was 79.5 +/- 14.6. One non-union of the DRUJ with consecutive fracture of the fixation screw and an algodystrophy in another case were found as postoperative complications. The only long-term complication consisted of a beginning humeroradial arthrosis ten years after the operation. The results demonstrate high patient satisfaction and reliable improvement in range of motion. Our results confirm the Kapandji-Sauvé procedure to be a reliable salvage procedure for arthrosis or chronic dislocation of the DRUJ even after long-term follow up.