The primary Sauve-Kapandji procedure--for treatment of comminuted distal radius and ulnar fractures.

We have performed primary Sauve-Kapandji procedures on four patients with severe open comminuted fractures of both the distal radius and ulna. The fragmented distal ulna was fixed to the sigmoid notch in order to stabilize the ulnar side of the carpus, and a proximal pseudoarthrosis was maintained for forearm rotation. All the distal radial fractures united without major complications. The mean wrist flexion/extension arc was 76 degrees , the mean pronation/supination arc was 135 degrees, and grip strength was 64% of the contralateral side. All patients returned to their work or daily activities within short time period without any additional surgical treatment, except for removal of implants in three patients. The primary Sauve-Kapandji procedure is effective for the reconstruction of severely combined distal radius and ulnar fractures.