Effective fixation of double plates for delayed treatment of type C pilon fractures / 中国组织工程研究

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:Traditional open reduction and internal fixation for type C pilon fractures is characterized extensive periosteal stripping, severe soft tissue injury, many postoperative complications, and unsatisfactory recovery of joint function. Minimal y invasive technology or external fixation combined with limited internal fixation for type C pilon fractures are usual y difficult to achieve anatomical reduction. OBJECTIVE:To explore the curative efficacy of anterolateral“L”type locking plate implantation combined with interior minimal y invasive plate osteosynthesis in treatment of type C pilon fractures and postoperative complication occurrence in order to find out the efficient fixation method for type C pilon fractures. METHODS:Twenty-six patients with type C pilon fractures (15 males and 11 females, aged from 19 to 68 years, mean age of 39.2 years) were selected and subjected to anterolateral“L”type locking plate implantation combined with interior minimal y invasive plate osteosynthesis. CT three-dimensional reconstruction was performed before and plate implantation. X-ray examination was carried out before and after fixation. Al patients were fol owed up for observation of clinical efficacy and complications. The therapeutic effects were evaluated using the Johner-Wruhs scoring system. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The 26 patients were fol owed up for 16 months (from 9 to 24 months). Delayed healing occurred in one case (after 12 months), and the average healing time was 15 weeks (from 11 to 52 weeks). There was no deformity healing. Two patients developed superficial incision infections of Staphylococcus aureus, healed by open wound and dressing change every day for 2 weeks. No deep infection or osteomyelitis was found. One patient was found to have traumatic arthritis of ankle joint, improved by the injection of sodium hyaluronate. There was no flap necrosis and tendon irritation, broken nail or screw withdrawal, and nerve injury. Johner-Wruhs scores were excellent in 11 cases, good in 12 cases, fair in 3 cases, with the total excellent to good rate of 88.5%. These findings indicate that anterolateral“L”type locking plate implantation combined with interior minimal y invasive plate osteosynthesis for delayed treatment of type C pilon fractures can achieve satisfactory fracture reduction, rigid fixation, early functional exercise, less complications, and good recovery of joint function.