We have performed excision of the lunate in 17 cases (partial excision of the lunate in two cases and total excision of the lunate in 15 cases) for the Decoulx stage III Kienböck's disease with an average follow-up of 11 years 7 months. Excellent and good results were obtained in 11 cases ont of 17 (65 per cent). After partial excision of the lunate, the shape of the lunate was conserved. After total excision of the lunate, the rearrangement of the remaining carpus maintained mobility and satisfactory force. Excellent and good results were obtained for pain in 14 cases out of 17. Total excision of the lunate gave poor results for the three heavy manual workers out of 12 manual workers after long-term follow-up.