Surgical treatment of Madelung disease by the Sauvé-Kapandji technique.

The Madelung deformity, a congenital alteration of growth in the distal radial epiphysis, becomes evident during adolescence, producing serious esthetic and functional disturbances. From 1982 to 1991, 15 patients ranging from 16 to 23 years old, suffering from Madelung deformity were operated by the Sauvé-Kapandji surgical technique (a pseudarthrosis is created on the ulna and an arthrodesis on the distal radio ulnar joint). The esthetic appearance and grip strength were improved. Pain was eliminated and the incidence of complications was very low.