Giant cell tumour of the distal radius is a locally aggressive lesion. In this study, we performed a wrist arthrodesis reconstruction with an ipsilateral double barrel segmental ulnar bone graft combined with a modified Sauve-Kapandji procedure for a giant cell tumour of the distal radius. From January 2007 to September 2013, we followed eight patients for a mean duration of 36 months. One patient developed a recurrence and was treated by amputation; the other seven patients achieved radiological union in about 8 months. There was no wrist instability, deformation or dislocation; the mean range of motion of the forearm achieved 75° of supination and 70° of pronation. The patients could recover reasonable grip strength. This new operative procedure can excise the tumour with a low rate of recurrence, fewer functional deficits and fewer complications than reported for other procedures.
Level of evidence: IV, therapeutic.
Keywords: Distal radius; giant cell tumours; modified Sauve-Kapandji procedure; wrist arthrodesis.