Management of acute perilunate dislocations without fracture of the scaphoid

A retrospective review of 14 cases of acute perilunate dislocations without fracture of the scaphoid managed by three different forms of treatment was conducted at an average follow-up of 29 months. Treatment included closed or open reduction with cast immobilization only (n=2), closed reduction followed by percutaneous K-wire fixation of the carpus (n=4), and open reduction with repair of the torn scapholunate ligaments and K-wire fixation of the carpus (n=8). Based on Cooney's clinical scoring system, there were five excellent, five good, two fair and two poor results. The patients without ligamentous repair did as well as those with ligamentous repair when the scaphoid was reduced anatomically and stabilized with K-wires. In the latter, however, the scapholounate relationship was maintained more consistently. We believe that open reduction through a dorsal approach, direct repair of the scapholunate ligaments, and K-wire fixation of the carpus is a reliable method for obtaining satisfactory clinical and radiographic results in the management of acute perilunate dislocations without fracture of the scaphoid.