ABSTRACT
Objective To evaluate the efficacy of less invasive stabilization systems (LISS) fixation and double plating on the treatment of AO-type C3 distal femoral fractures via anterior midline approach.Methods From June 2014 to March 2017,18 cases of AO-type C3 distal femoral fractures treated in our department were recruited in this study.They were 12 males and 6 females,at a mean age of 19-62 years.There were 11 cases due to traffic accidents and 7 due to falls from heights.Six of them had open fractures and 12 had closed fractures.They all were treated with LISS fixation and double plating with anterior midline incision.Kolment and Wulff criteria were used to evaluate knee joint function after internal fixation at the last time of follow-up.Results For all the subjects,the average operative time was 145 (110 to 200) min,and they were followed up for 17.5 (12 to 25) months.They all achieved primary wound healing,and had an average time of 22 (20 to 26) weeks for fracture healing.No nonunion,infection,osteomyelitis or injuries of nerves and arteries were observed.According to the results of Kolment and Wulff criteria for knee joint function evaluation,6 of them got excellent,9 good,2 fair and 1 poor outcomes,with a rate of 83.33％ for good and excellent outcomes.Conclusion The treatment of type C3 distal femoral fractures via anterior middle approach of knee joint can fully reveal the articular surface of the femoral condyle.And the operative vision is clear,making it easy for anatomical reduction of articular surface fractures.Combined with LISS double locking plates fixation treatment,it can avoid the injury of soft tissue,and the fracture also be rigid fixation.Postoperative early functional exercise should be allowed to obtain good clinical results.