[Trapeziometacarpal joint osteoarthritis: treatment with tendon interposition arthroplasty according to Ceruso in severe osteoarthritis].

PURPOSE There are several tendon interposition arthroplasty techniques for treatment of the trapeziometacarpal joint osteoarthritis. The technique implemented by Ceruso, which uses the abductor pollicis longus, is an ideal solution. Through the radial exposures, it is possible to remove the trapezium, to split the abductor pollicis longus and to do the arthroplasty. This surgical technique is simple and it fosters a possible rapid recovery of the hand's functions. Complications are extremely unlikely. METHODS The Author report on the 20 cases of hand's with osteoarthritis of the trapeziometacarpal joint type 3 and 4 they have operated according to Brunnelli's classification between 2002 and 2006. RESULTS All the patients were able to perform the daily activities, displaying with a good strength. The column of the thumb never proved shorter than before and distance between the base of the first metacarpal bone and the scaphoid remained unchanged during the whole follow-up period. CONCLUSION The Ceruso's technique is capable of giving stability to the thumb and filling the space of the trapezium carries out function of the biological space.