[Vascularized bone transfers in the wrist and hand]

More and more vascularised bone transfer (VBT) sites, free or pedicled, in the wrist and hand have been described since the 1980s. In the distal forearm, two main VBT: the fibula and the iliac crest, are used for large bone loss (> 6 cm) or for radio-carpal reconstruction. We report our experience of radio-carpal reconstruction using the distal-radio-ulnar joint transfer. At the carpal level, VBT are essentially used for "difficult" scaphoid pseudarthrosis: osteonecrosis, sclerotic bone or failures of conventional grafts and for lunate necrosis. Two pedicled VBT are frequently used for the scaphoid, a graft harvested from the antero-medial part of the distal radius (Kuhlmann) or a graft harvested from the postero-lateral part of the distal radius (Zaidemberg). For the trapezo-metacarpal joint, two new articular pedicle transfers can be used in some cases of trapezo-metacarpal arthritis. At the hand level, VBT are used for distal bone loss, "en bout de chaîne". Bone vascularisation is indispensable to preserve sub-chondral bone and avoid articular destruction. In children VBT are necessary to preserve the growth cartilage.