OBJECTIVETo investigate the efficacy and complications of manual reduction and external fixation for the treatment of scaphoid fractures and perilunate dislocations.

METHODSFrom January 2009 to January 2013, 43 patients suffered from scaphoid fractures and perilunate dislocations were retrospective analyzed. Among them, 17 cases were treated with manipulative reduction and plaster external fixation as conservation group including 10 males and 7 females, the other 26 cases were treated with application of surgical as operation group including 15 males and 11 females. The clinical effects were assessed by Cooney function score, radiological analysis and observation of complications.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up for(45.00±8.72) months ranging from 36 to 60 months. At the final follow-up, the Cooney score of wrist function was 88.53±4.24 in conservation group and 89.58±4.59in operation group(0.455, >0.05). During the follow-up, 4 patients were found scaphoid avascular necrosis in the imaging performance in the conservation group(χ²=4.32, <0.05). The difference of other complications between two groups was not statistically significant(>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSFor patients suffered from the scaphoid fractures and perilunate dislocation, the early manipulative reduction and plaster external fixation after injury as soon as possible is necessary. Maintaining a satisfactory reduction and reliable fixation at the same time can lead to good treatment effect and there's no weakness compared to surgical treatment. But there was an increase in danger of complications. The key of conservative treatment lies in early diagnosis and maintenance of reduction, reliable fixation, and timely and appropriate functional exercise.