Complicated Tibial Plateau Fractures In Young Patients: Functional Outcome With Dual Plating Via two Incision Technique

Abstract

Objective: Motorbike accidents contribute one of the most important factors of tibial plateau fracture among young populations in Karachi Pakistan. Most surgeons feel challenging to treatment complicated bicondylar fractures of the tibial plateau.This prospective study was designed to evaluate the functional outcomes of dual plating through a two-incisions technique for the fixation of complicated bicondylar tibial plateau fractures in young patients in Karachi Pakistan. Methods: This prospective study includes 94 cases of Type V and VI tibial plateau fractures of young patient’s age range from 15 to 45 years, operated between January 2014 and December 2016 conducted in two public sector hospital of Karachi Pakistan (Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Center, Civil Hospital Karachi). Exclusion criteria include patients with multiple fractures on the same side or same bone, age >45 years, open contaminated fracture, open fracture,and patients with head injuries. All cases were operated either by lateral locking plate fixation by anterolateral approach or dual plating through double incisions. These all cases were followed for a minimum of 24 months radiologically and clinically. The statistical analysis was performed using software SPSS 20.0 to analyze the data. Results: A total of 94 patients (45 Single Plating and 49 Dual Plating)were operated during the study period of 2 years. However, four patients (4 single plating and 0 dual plating) were lost during follow-up who could not be tracked. Both groups were somewhat similar in relation to the age, mechanism of injury, fracture pattern, and soft tissue injury. Preoperatively, there was a significant increase in surgical time with the dual plating group; however, the mean time of reduction between the two groups was not significant. The decision to put bone graft was at the choice of the operating surgeon and was an intra operative decision with 74 (78.7%) patients receiving the bone graft. Post-operatively, there was no immediate difference in between the groups considering thermal alignment and reduction. It took approximately 4–5 months for the fractures to get united. There was normal union,non union or implant failure seen among those patients. There were 10 cases with superficial infection in wounds of dual plating group which were treated with culture sensitive antibiotics for average 2 weeks, healed subsequently. There were three patients found having an incidence of deep infection in a double plating group, wherein 2 patients were positive with Staphylococcus aureus and 1 patient with Escherichia coli was isolated. Extensive wound irrigation and lavage with antibiotic cement beads were given. Repeated irrigation and lavage were done again after 2 weeks with the removal of beads followed by prolonged course of antibiotic therapy for 6 weeks after which the infection resolved.A total of 38 (77%) patients in a double plating group regained full flexion (135°) and full extension (0°) with a good alignment and no pain and instability as compared to single plating group, seen in 30 (66%) patients at follow-up. Conclusion: Dual plating by two-incision method resulted in better functional outcome regarding limb alignment and range of movements at knee joint with an acceptable soft tissue complication rate in young patients. Keywords: Complicated tibial plateau fracture, Young patients, Double incision, Dual plating.