To evaluate the clinical and radiologic outcomes of the perilunate dislocation and the lunate dislocation which were managed surgically through a dorsal approach.

Retrospective reviews of the 13 patients who had minimum 1-year follow-up after surgical treatment through isolated dorsal approach for their perilunate dislocations or the lunate dislocations were performed. The case that dislocated lunate migrated proximally through the wrist was excluded in this series. We evaluated the DASH score in questionnaire method and Mayo wrist score to analyze the clinical outcomes. Radiologic results were investigated by measurement of the scapho-lunate angle, and fracture union was also evaluated in the case of trans-scaphoid dislocation.

The mean DASH Score was 16.3 points (range, 10.8~26.7 points) and the mean Mayo wrist score was 79 points (range, 65~90 points) at the final follow-up. There were 2 cases of excellent, 7 cases of good and 4 cases of fair in the Mayo wrist score. On the radiologic analysis, the mean scapho-lunate angle was 49.0° (range, 35~55°) and all cases were within the normal range. All cases of the trans-scaphoid perilunate dislocation achieved bone union.

Author's cases showed satisfactory outcomes in clinically and radiologically. Isolated dorsal approach could give anatomical reduction and appropriate internal fixation in treatment of the perilunate dislocations and the lunate dislocations except the rare case of proximal migration of the lunate through the wrist.