Radial osteotomy and Sauvé-Kapandji procedure for deformities of the distal radius.

We treated 12 patients with a posttraumatic or congenital deformity of the distal radius. A radial osteotomy and a Sauvé-Kapandji procedure were carried out. In 9 patients the deformity was caused by a malunited fracture; the other 3 patients were referred to us with a Madelung deformity. We performed 6 open wedge osteotomies and 6 closing wedge osteotomies. All but one patient rated the result of the operation as good or excellent. The reason for the only failure could be carpal instability.