Transscaphoid–transtriquetral–transhamate perilunate fracture–dislocation: case report

Abstract

A transscaphoid–transtriquetral–transhamate perilunate fracture–dislocation is a very rare pattern of injury among the known spectrum of perilunate dislocations and perilunate fracture–dislocations, and the details of the initial treatment and outcome of this injury have never been reported. We present the case of a 24-year-old, right-handed man, who presented in the emergency department with acute fracture at the waist of the scaphoid, fracture avulsion at the proximal pole of the triquetrum, and fracture of the hamate body with an associated dorsal perilunate dislocation after a fall from 3 m onto his outstretched left hand. Under general anesthesia, closed reduction was attempted with axial traction. After anatomical reduction was achieved, osteosynthesis of the scaphoid was performed using a cannulated screw, and after this was done, percutaneous pinning of the hamate with a K-wire and reconstruction of the scapholunate ligament was performed using an anchor for reinforcement of the scapholunate ligament through a minimally invasive volar approach. A short arm thumb cast splint was applied for 4 weeks, and part-time splinting was continued for another additional 4 weeks. The patient subsequently underwent 3 months of intensive range-of-motion and muscle-strengthening exercises. At the final follow-up examination, 60 months after the initial operation, the range of motion of the left wrist was 145° (extension plus flexion arc), and grip strength, 47 kg, were 91 and 98 % of the values for the unaffected wrist, respectively. Radiographs showed a bony union of the scaphoid, triquetrum, and hamate, and no sign of avascular necrosis in the proximal scaphoid fragment, as well as other carpal bones. No midcarpal or radiocarpal degenerative arthritis was observed, and the normal carpal bone relationships were still maintained, with a scapholunate angle of 49° and a scapholunate distance of 1.5 mm. We recommend closed reduction and minimally invasive volar approach for screw fixation of the scaphoid, as well as percutaneous pinning of the hamate in this case and reconstruction of the disrupted carpal ligaments to minimize the interruption of the blood supply to the carpus and also to obtain rigid fixation during the procedure.