Distal Radio-Ulnar Joint Reconstruction after failed Darrach operation using free autogenous second toe Metatarso-phalangeal joint transfer: Development of the technique and a long-term (over 25 year) follow-up

During the development of microvascular surgery in 1980-95 many new methods to overcome different traumatic disorders were studied. Previously unsolved problems could be treated using free tissue transfer. Typical problems in wrist surgery were the painful complications from ulna head resection. No sound or acceptable artificial protheses for ulna head were available. Author did study the possibilities of reversal of resected ulna head using an autogenous microvascular joint transfer. First it was done using cadaver models and evaluating the possibilities of a toe MTP-II joint in replacing the distal radio-ulnar joint. Then same principle was used in three clinical cases. All patients had suffered a poor result after ulna head resection or Darrach procedure. First two cases had complications but third case from year 1994 resulted in a good outcome. This paper introduces the development of a surgical technique for the replacement of the resected ulna head. Also, it will describe the excellent long-term result achieved in the last case with 26-year follow-up. Although today many sophisticated prosthetic replacement techniques have become developed for this purpose, this kind of autogenous reconstruction might have a place in treating similar problems in young posttraumatic patients. Also it demonstrates the potential benefit of microsurgery in a difficult wrist problem.