[Cancellous bone harvesting from the distal radius for reconstruction of bone defects in the hand].

Objective: Extraction of cancellous bone from the distal radius for reconstructive procedures on the hand.

Indications: All reconstructive procedures on the hand for which a corticocancellous and/or vascularized bone graft or a large amount of cancellous bone is not required.

Contraindications: Acute distal radius fracture, osteosynthesis material embedded in the distal radius, e.g., after palmar plate osteosynthesis of a distal radius fracture, tumor in the distal radius.

Surgical technique: Removal of cancellous bone from the distal radius radially from the dorsal radial tuberosity via a small bone window at the base of the second extensor tendon compartment.

Postoperative management: Wound dressing on the distal radius, elevation of the arm above heart level until swelling has subsided, first dressing change on postoperative day 1 or 2, depending on the primary procedure on the hand, dressing until wound healing is complete, removal of the skin sutures around postoperative day 14.

Results: In 2023, cancellous bone was harvested from the distal radius of 17 patients for reconstructive procedures on the hand (6 mediocarpal partial arthrodeses, 3 acute fractures, 5 delayed bone healings, 1 pseudarthrosis, 2 bone tumors). In all cases, the available amount of radius cancellous bone was sufficient, resulting in satisfactory healing. All patients complained of short-term, slight discomfort at the donor site for the first few days after surgery, which resolved completely. There were no complications at the donor site on the distal radius.