[Perilunar dislocations and dislocation fractures--evaluation of treatment results using the newest data on carpal instability].

Between 1956 and 1984, 196 patients with perilunate fracture dislocations were treated at the Unfallkrankenhaus Wien-Meidling. The authors were able to examine 56 of these patients on average 12.5 years after the accident looking specifically at carpal instability. The results showed three patients with dynamic and 21 patients with static instability of the wrist. After having examined the X-rays of all the patients we formulated the following plan: If the dislocation is adequately reduced by closed manipulation, conservative management is successful. But if there remains a pathological radiolunate, scapholunate, or capitolunate angle, operative treatment is indicated.