Comparison of two surgical approaches in treatment of calcaneal fracture / 中国医师进修杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To compare sinus tarsi approach(STA) and extensile L shape approach (ELA) in the surgical treatment of calcaneal fractures. Methods A total of 51 cases of calcaneal fractures treated from May 2014 to December 2016 were enrolled. Twenty of them were performed ORIF via the sinus tarsi approach, while the other 31 cases were performed ORIF via lateral extensile L shape approach. X-ray films were taken postoperatively to record the changes of B?hler angle and Gissane angle. The AOFAS, VAS and SF-36 scores were adopted to assess the therapeutic effect. Results The average follow-up period of STA group was 15.5 months. And patients in ELA group were followed up for an average period of 18.4 months. All the fractures in the series had a boney union at or before the final follow-up. The final correction of B?hler angle (34.60 ± 2.91)° , and Gissane angle (114.45 ± 2.91)° was significantly increased in the STA group; and the final correction of B?hler angle (33.55 ± 2.73)° , and Gissane angle (112.81 ± 4.15)° was also significantly increased in the ELA group; while there was no significant difference between the two groups. The final AOFAS scores , VAS scores and SF-36 scores of the STA were (83.56 ± 7.13), (1.78 ± 0.89), (88.95 ± 4.31) scores, while those in ELA group were (81.91 ± 9.89), (2.01 ± 1.33) and (86.65 ± 4.95) scores. There was no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). No wound problem happened in STA group, but there were 2 cases who had wound complications in ELA group. Conclusions No significant difference is found between the two groups in the short-term efficacy of the treatment for calaneal fracture. However, STA has the advantages of lower soft tissue complication rate.