[Graner operation in therapy of semilunar bone necrosis. Review of the literature and personal results]

Abstract

Intercarpal arthrodesis with interposition of the capitate osteotomized in Graner's technique is performed in the treatment of stage III Kienböck's disease. Although clinical results are satisfactory, there are complications such as necrosis of the capitate, pseudarthrosis of the capitate, and arthrosis of the radiocarpal joint. From 1992 to 1995, twenty patients were treated for Kienböck's disease by Graner's technique in the Clinic of Hand Surgery II in Bad Neustadt/Saale. Seventeen patients were submitted to follow-up studies. The range of motion (extension/flexion) of the wrist was 55 degree. The grip strength was 67% of the other hand. Four patients continued to complain of pain. Necrosis of the capitate was found in four cases, pseudarthrosis in two cases, and arthrosis of the radiocarpal joint in five cases. Based on the poor X-ray results found in this review, the authors feels there is no indication for Graner's technique. They favor STT arthrodesis in stage III of Kienböck's disease.