OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical feasibility and the possible complications associated with minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis of the distal fibula. DESIGN/ SETTING: Regional county hospital. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: All patients with Orthopaedic Trauma Association 42, 43, 44 fractures of the distal tibia requiring plate fixation of the distal fibula were included in this cohort study. A consecutive series of 701 internally fixed fractures of tibia and ankle yielded 20 fibular fractures treated with this technique. INTERVENTION: Fractures were treated with the minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis technique using an angular stable screw-plate system for the fibula. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Clinical and radiologic outcomes at 24 months. RESULTS: Seventeen fractures healed without complication at an average of 9 weeks. Three aseptic nonunions were recorded: one in a pilon fracture (Orthopaedic Trauma Association 43-C3) and one in a distal lower leg fracture (Orthopaedic Trauma Association 43-A3), both with severe closed soft tissue injury (as a result of a crush mechanism). The third one was in an ankle fracture dislocation (OTA 44-C1) with delayed treatment and inadequate reduction of the simple fibula fracture. CONCLUSION: Although this technique is comparable to minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis in the tibia or femur, it appears to be more difficult as a result of small bone size. As a result, we reserve this technique for selected complex fractures of the distal fibula with critical soft tissue conditions.
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical feasibility and the possible complications associated with minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis of the distal fibula. DESIGN/ SETTING: Regional county hospital. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: All patients with Orthopaedic Trauma Association 42, 43, 44 fractures of the distal tibia requiring plate fixation of the distal fibula were included in this cohort study. A consecutive series of 701 internally fixed fractures of tibia and ankle yielded 20 fibular fractures treated with this technique. INTERVENTION: Fractures were treated with the minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis technique using an angular stable screw-plate system for the fibula. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Clinical and radiologic outcomes at 24 months. RESULTS: Seventeen fractures healed without complication at an average of 9 weeks. Three aseptic nonunions were recorded: one in a pilon fracture (Orthopaedic Trauma Association 43-C3) and one in a distal lower leg fracture (Orthopaedic Trauma Association 43-A3), both with severe closed soft tissue injury (as a result of a crush mechanism). The third one was in an ankle fracture dislocation (OTA 44-C1) with delayed treatment and inadequate reduction of the simple fibula fracture. CONCLUSION: Although this technique is comparable to minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis in the tibia or femur, it appears to be more difficult as a result of small bone size. As a result, we reserve this technique for selected complex fractures of the distal fibula with critical soft tissue conditions.
Authors: Robinson Esteves Santos Pires; Cyril Mauffrey; Marco Antônio Percope de Andrade; Leonardo Brandão Figueiredo; Vincenzo Giordano; João Carlos Belloti; Fernando Baldy dos Reis Journal: Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol Date: 2013-08-20
Authors: Paul J Switaj; Daniel Fuchs; Mohammed Alshouli; Avinash G Patwardhan; Leonard I Voronov; Muturi Muriuki; Robert M Havey; Anish R Kadakia Journal: J Orthop Surg Res Date: 2016-09-15 Impact factor: 2.359