A new minimally invasive spreader combined with less invasive stabilization system for proximal tibial fractures / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: The traditional surgical treatment of proximal tibial fractures has extensive dissection of the fracture site, and affects local blood circulation, increases the incidence of delayed union and nonunion. In recent years, the rising minimally invasive internal fixation system can protect the local soft tissue and blood circulation to the maximum extent, and provide better conditions for fracture healing. The application of new spreader also solves the problems of stability and durability of traditional manual traction reduction, and the combination of the two is gradually concerned. OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of a new minimally invasive spreader assisted reduction and less invasive stabilization system for the treatment of proximal tibial fractures. METHODS: Twenty-two patients with proximal tibial fractures treated from May 2016 to October 2019 were studied and randomly assigned to control group and observation group (n=11 per group). Patients in the control group were treated with conventional manipulative reduction and conventional incision plate internal fixation. Patients in the observation group were treated with a new minimally invasive spreader assisted reduction and less invasive stabilization system. This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Fifth Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Compared with the control group, Rasmussen knee function score was better in the observation group at the last follow-up. Intraoperative blood loss, operation time, length of hospital stay, and weight-bearing time in the observation group were better than those in the control group. Postoperative complications such as joint limitation and delayed fracture healing were less in the observation group than in the control group. However, the healing time was not statistically significant between the two groups. Moreover, infection of the incision and loosening and fracture of the internal fixator were not statistically significant between the two groups. These indicated that the application of a new minimally invasive spreader combined with less invasive stabilization system for proximal tibial fractures can reduce surgical reduction time and local soft tissue damage, which is beneficial to early functional exercise and can reduce postoperative complications.

Biomechanical Analysis of Operative Methods in the Treatment of Extra-Articular Fracture of the Proximal Tibia

BACKGROUND: To determine relative fixation strengths of a single lateral locking plate, a double construct of a locking plate, and a tibial nail used in treatment of proximal tibial extra-articular fractures. METHODS: Three groups of composite tibial synthetic bones consisting of 5 specimens per group were included: lateral plating (LP) using a locking compression plate-proximal lateral tibia (LCP-PLT), double plating (DP) using a LCP-PLT and a locking compression plate-medial proximal tibia, and intramedullary nailing (IN) using an expert tibial nail. To simulate a comminuted fracture model, a gap osteotomy measuring 1 cm was created 8 cm below the knee joint. For each tibia, a minimal preload of 100 N was applied before loading to failure. A vertical load was applied at 25 mm/min until tibial failure. RESULTS: Under axial loading, fixation strength of DP (14,387.3 N; standard deviation [SD], 1,852.1) was 17.5% greater than that of LP (12,249.3 N; SD, 1,371.6), and 60% less than that of IN (22,879.6 N; SD, 1,578.8; p < 0.001, Kruskal-Wallis test). For ultimate displacement under axial loading, similar results were observed for LP (5.74 mm; SD, 1.01) and DP (4.45 mm; SD, 0.96), with a larger displacement for IN (5.84 mm; SD, 0.99). The median stiffness values were 2,308.7 N/mm (range, 2,147.5 to 2,521.4 N/mm; SD, 165.42) for the LP group, 4,128.2 N/mm (range, 3,028.1 to 4,831.0 N/mm; SD, 832.88) for the DP group, and 5,517.5 N/mm (range, 3,933.1 to 7,078.2 N/mm; SD, 1,296.19) for the IN group. CONCLUSIONS: During biomechanical testing of a simulated comminuted proximal tibial fracture model, the DP proved to be stronger than the LP in terms of ultimate strength. IN proved to be the strongest; however, for minimally invasive osteosynthesis, which may be technically difficult to perform using a nail, the performance of the DP construct may lend credence to the additional use of a medial locking plate.

Locking Plate in Proximal Tibial Fracture: A Correlation between the Coronal Alignment of Tibia and Joint Screw Angle

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the relationship between the angle formed between the proximal most screw through the locking compression plate-proximal lateral tibia (LCP PLT) and the joint line, and to evaluate if this angle can be used intraoperatively as an assessment tool to determine normal alignment of the tibia in the coronal plane. MATERIALS AND METHODS: There are two parts to this study: in the first part, LCP PLT was applied to 30 cadaveric adult tibia. The angle between the joint line and the proximal most screw was measured and termed as the 'joint screw angle' (JSA). In the second part, 56 proximal tibial fractures treated with LCP PLT were retrospectively studied. Two angles were measured on the radiographs, the medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA) and the JSA. Their relationship was analyzed statistically. RESULTS: The average JSA was 1.16 degrees in the anatomical study. Statistical analysis of the clinical study showed that the normal MPTA had a direct correlation with an acceptable JSA. CONCLUSION: We therefore conclude that the JSA can be used intraoperatively to assess the achievement of a normal coronal axis.

Staged Minimally Invasive Plate Osteosynthesis of Proximal Tibial Fracture

PURPOSE: To assess the results of staged MIPO (Minimally Invasive Plate Osteosynthesis) for proximal tibial fractures with compromised soft tissue. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen proximal tibial fractures (AO 41:9 cases, AO 42:9 cases) included this study. Ten were open fractures. After temporary external fixation until soft tissue healed (mean 27.3 days), MIPO was performed secondarily without bone graft. We assessed the bony union and knee function, and affecting factors of the results were investigated. RESULTS: All fractures united at 20 weeks (range, 11~32) except 1 case. Mean range of knee flexion was 134.4degrees and mean IOWA knee score was 89.1. There were 2 superficial and 2 delayed deep infections from open fractures (grade II:1 case, grade III:3 cases), although they healed after implant removal. Open fractures seem to influence the infection rate. Otherwise, there was no related factor affecting the results. CONCLUSION: MIPO after temporary external fixation can provide favorable results in proximal tibial fractures with soft tissue injuries, but attention of delayed infection should be paid in open fractures.

A Comparison according to Insertion Method for Intramedullary Nailing in Proximal Tibial Fractures

PURPOSE: To compare clinical and radiological results between standard insertion method and semiextended method which was designed to improve proximal fixation and alignment in proximal tibia fracture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review from May 2000 to February 2004, identified 24 extraarticular fractures in proximal tibia, initially treated with locked intramedullary nails at least 1 year follow up. There were 12 open injuries, 4 segmental, 3 butterfly fragments and 17 comminuted. Semiextended method was used in 10 fratures and standard insertion method which is cephalad to tibial tubercle in 14. Follow up clinical assessment consisted of review of associated injuries and complications and these two methods were compared by postoperative angulation and displacement in anteroposterior and lateral radiographs. Data were analysed by t-tests. RESULTS: In semiextended group, average angulation was 2.3 degrees in coronal and 2.8 degrees in sagittal plane and average displacement was 4.5 mm in coronal and 5.3 mm in sagittal. In ordinary group, average angulation was 5.1 degrees in coronal and 7.4 degrees in sagittal plane and average displacement was 6.1 mm in coronal and 5.3 mm in sagittal. In semiextended group, there were significant reduction in coronal angulation (p=0.006) and sagittal angulation (p=0.001), but there was no significant difference in coronal (p=0.344) and sagittal (p=0.99) displacement. Both groups showed anterior, valgus angulation and posterolateral displacement in most cases. There were 14 associated injuries and one patient developed nonunion and was treated by nail exchange with autogenous bone graft. CONCLUSION: Our retrospective analysis demonstrated that semiextended method is effective for reducing coronal and sagittal angulation, but is not helpful for reducing displacement in both planes.

Surgical Treatment of the Irreducible Hohl and Moore Type 2 Proximal Tibia Fracture-Dislocation 3 Years Follow up Study: 1 Case Report

Intraarticular proximal tibia fracture and dislocation patterns, that were proposed by Hohl and Moore, are generally caused by high energy mechanism . These fracture and dislocation patterns are known to be combined with injuries of popliteal artery, peroneal nerve and cruciate ligament in many cases. We experienced a case irreducible Hohl and Moore fracture-dislocation patterns type 2, in which posterior dislocation with medially displaced entire lateral condyle that could not be reduced by closed mean for fibular head blocking the proper reduction. Additionally, popliteal artery was entrapted into the fracture site. We carried out open reduction and screw fixation via posterior approach and with fibular osteomy. We followed the patient for 3 years.

Ligament Injuries Combined with Proximal Tibia and Fibula Fracture / 대한정형외과학회잡지

It is well known that fractures around the knee joint are usually combined with ligament injuries but it is easy to miss the ligament injuries during the treatment of fractures. The invention of the MRI and the development of arthroscopic techniques has made it easy to diagnose and care for ligament injuries. Authors reviewed the patients who had fractures around the knee joint to evaluate the frequencies, types, treatments and the results of combined ligaments injuries. There were 57 cases with the fracture of the proximal tibia and fibula which could be follwed up at least one year: from January 1992 to June 1995. There were 19 cases (33%) which had combined ligament injuries. The ligament injuries were diagnosed by stress X-ray & MRI evaluation and confirmed by arthroscopic examination. Single lateral rim avulsion fracture of proximal tibia was the most common type of fractures (7 cases, 37%). There were 11 cases (57%) of combined injuries of anterior cruciate ligament and medial collateral ligament. It was the most common combined ligament injury. Except for one, eleven cases that were combined with lateral rim avulsion of proximal tibia had anterior cruciate ligament injury. There were ten cases (53%) of fibula head and neck fractures which were combined with ligament injuries. The total number of the injured ligament was 35 and the common rupture sites of the injured ligaments was the attachment site of femur (13 cases) and tibia (16 cases). There were seven meniscal injury cases (37%). The interval from injury to operation averaged 14.1 days because many cases were acute injuries. Primary repairs for ruptured ligament were done in 31 cases (88%) because of their attachment site injuries. There were no instabilities except one case which was treated with posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using semitendinosus ligament. It had a grade I posterior instability at the last follow-up. Early diagnosis and proper treatment on the ruptured ligaments and the torn meniscus combined with proximal tibia and fibular fractures seem to be important for a good prognosis.