Sauvé-Kapandji and reverse Sauvé-Kapandji procedures for treating chronic longitudinal radioulnar dissociation with capitellum fracture

Abstract

Almost all reported cases of longitudinal radioulnar dissociation have involved fracture of the radial head, rupture of the interosseous membrane, and disruption of the distal radioulnar joint, although unusual patterns of Essex-Lopresti injury have also been described. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a chronic Essex-Lopresti variant including fracture of the capitellum. A displaced capitellum fracture must alert to the possibility of longitudinal radioulnar dissociation, even without concomitant radial head fracture or symptoms at the forearm and ulnar wrist. Successful mid-term results can be achieved by treating malunion of humeral condyle and proximal migration of the radius with simultaneous Sauvé-Kapandji procedure at the wrist and reverse Sauvé-Kapandji at the elbow.