Treatment of open and comminuted mid-distal tibial fractures by bilateral external fixation combined with limited-internal fixation

Acta Orthop Belg. 2021 Dec;87(4):745-750. doi: 10.52628/87.4.20.

Abstract

Open and comminuted mid-distal fractures often result from high-energy trauma, and a concomitant poor blood supply often leads to skin necrosis, infection, and bone union. To circumvent such complications, we used limited-reduction and bilateral-external fixators to treat open and comminuted mid-distal tibial fractures with compromised soft tissue. A retrospective series of 34 patients who had open and comminuted mid-distal tibial fractures and treated by bilateral-external fixators with limited-internal fixation were analyzed. Patients were followed for 10-25 months (mean: 12 months) post-treatment and osseous union was achieved in each case. The average union time was 16.3 weeks. Based on the Johner- Wruhs criteria, the retrospective series consisted of 21 'excellent' cases, 8 'good' cases, 4 'fair' cases, and a 'poor' case. The total percentage of 'excellent' and 'good' cases of fracture recovery was 85.29%. Bilateral-external and limited-internal fixators pro- vided high bone union rate and excellent ankle-joint motion. Hence, it is an appropriate surgical approach for treating open and comminuted mid-distal tibial fractures with compromised soft tissue.

MeSH terms

  • Bone Plates
  • External Fixators
  • Fracture Fixation
  • Fracture Fixation, Internal
  • Fractures, Comminuted* / diagnostic imaging
  • Fractures, Comminuted* / surgery
  • Fractures, Open* / diagnostic imaging
  • Fractures, Open* / surgery
  • Humans
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Tibial Fractures* / diagnostic imaging
  • Tibial Fractures* / surgery
  • Treatment Outcome