[Madelung's deformity - Why choose the Sauvé-Kapandji osteotomy?]

For bilateral Madelung's deformity in a 14-year-old girl we did the Sauvé and Kapandji operation without additional radius osteotomy. The operation was justified by the protrusion of the head of the ulna, the limitation of the rotation and diminution of the strength of the wrist, and inability to do sporting activity. The clinical findings were referred to the instability of the inferior radio ulnar joint There was no pain. The post operative review showed no pain, with recovery of grasp and of sporting activity (gymnastic and dance). The esthetic result satisfied the surgeon and the patient The operation permitted repositioning of the inferior radio ulnar joint. We have not seen synostosis of the osteotomy and the width of it increased progressively without radiological and physical instability of the inferior radio ulnar joint. The literature study allows us to discuss the different treatment possibilities and to explain our choice.The simplicity of this operation is interesting, because it was possible to stabilize the carpal joint, with abolition of the physical problems of this youg girl, without the needing osteotomy of the radius, which takes longer to recover, in those cases without pain before the operation.