ABSTRACT
Objective: To explore effectiveness of reduction and internal fixation via modified anterolateral supra-fibular-head approach in treatment of tibial plateau fractures involving posterolateral column. Methods: Between January 2016 and September 2018, 19 patients diagnosed as tibial plateau fractures involving posterolateral column were treated with reduction and internal fixation via modified anterolateral supra-fibular-head approach. There were 11 males and 8 females with an average age of 43.2 years (range, 28-65 years). The causes of tibial fracture were traffic accident (12 patients), falling injury (5 patients), and falling from height (2 patients). According to the Schatzker typing, the tibial fractures were rated as type Ⅱ in 9 cases, type Ⅲ in 4 cases, type Ⅴ in 4 cases, and type Ⅵ in 2 cases. The time from injury to operation was 5-13 days (mean, 8.5 days). There were 2 patients with osteoporosis. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and postoperative complications were recorded. The knee X-ray film was reviewed regularly to observe the fracture healing. At last follow-up, the fracture reductions were evaluated by Rasmussen radiological score. The knee joint function was evaluated by Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score system. Results: The average operation time was 95 minutes (range, 65-130 minutes). The average intraoperative blood loss was 220 mL (range, 150-350 mL). All incisions healed by first intention. No complications such as infection or deep venous thrombosis occurred. All patients were followed up 12-20 months (mean, 15.4 months). X-ray films showed that the fractures healed with the healing time of 12-20 weeks (mean, 14.5 weeks). No complications such as loosening or breakage of internal fixation occurred. At last follow-up, according to the Rasmussen radiological score, the fracture reductions were evaluated as excellent in 13 cases, good in 4 cases, fair in 1 case, and poor in 1 case. HSS scores of knee joint function were excellent in 14 cases, good in 3 cases, fair in 1 case, and poor in 1 case. The knee joint range of motion was 90°-135°, with an average of 113.4°. Conclusion: Application of modified anterolateral supra-fibular-head approach in reduction and internal fixation for tibial plateau fractures involving posterolateral column has the advantages of full exposure, less trauma, safety, and reliable reduction and fixation.
ABSTRACT
Las fracturas de platillos tibiales son lesiones complejas que incluyen una variedad de patrones morfológicos cada vez mejor caracterizados en la literatura. Históricamente, los esquemas de clasificación se han basado en evaluar los rasgos de fractura en el plano frontal y las técnicas quirúrgicas en lograr la fijación de esos fragmentos, sin tomar en consideración el compromiso óseo que ocurre en la región posterior de los platillos tibiales. Con el advenimiento de la clasificación columnar basada en tomografía computada, se han logrado desarrollar estrategias de fijación optimizada, dando cada vez más relevancia a la columna posterior. Este artículo realiza una revisión extensa de la literatura, otorgando los fundamentos quirúrgicos que explican la importancia del tratamiento específico de la columna posterolateral y posteromedial, con el fin de restablecer la biomecánica normal de la rodilla y el razonamiento quirúrgico de las diversas vías de abordaje específicas para una reducción y osteosíntesis satisfactoria de esos fragmentos.
Tibial plateau fractures are complex injuries which include a variety of morphological patterns that have been increasingly better characterized in the literature. Historically, classifications have focused on description of fracture patterns in the frontal plane, while surgical techniques have focused on reduction of these fragments not considering the osseous defects that occur on the posterior region of the tibial plateau. With new CT scan column based classifications, strategies to optimize fixation have been developed, giving relevance to the posterior column. This article is an exhaustive review of the literature, providing the surgical foundations that explain the importance of specific treatment of the posterolateral and posteromedial column, aiming to restore normal knee biomechanics. Furthermore, this article provides the diverse specific surgical approaches rationale for a satisfactory open reduction and internal fixation of these fragments.