Early wound complications after operative treatment of high energy tibial plateau fractures through two incisions.

Dual plating of complex, bicondylar tibial plateau fractures through an anterolateral and posteromedial approach is often performed to treat fractures complicated by a significantly displaced posteromedial fragment or a depression of the medial articular surface. The purpose of the present study was to (1) determine the deep infection rate of such fractures that are operatively fixed after allowing for soft tissue recovery and (2) compare this rate to other series in the literature. The study group was comprised of 29 patients with 29 AO/OTA 41-C bicondylar tibial plateau fractures. The average length of follow-up was 16.4 months. The deep infection rate was 13.8% (4/29). A lower rate of deep infection was observed compared to historical reports. This is likely a result of a treatment algorithm that requires recovery of the soft tissue envelope prior to definitive fixation.