Open distal tibial pilon fractures treated with "one-stage" external fixation method

Abstract

Introdiction: Open distal tibial pilon fractures are considered as hard injuries, caused by high-energy axial load. Different treatment methods of these injuries are described in the literature. Authors of this paper are presenting own experience and results in the method of ?one-stage? external fixation with or without limited internal fixation of the fracture. Material and methods: All the patients had emergent surgical treatment in 4 to 8 hours after the hospitalisation. Surgical protocol included wound irrigation, debridement, fracture reduction and external fixation in type A fractures. Type B and type C fractures were treated by ?bridging? external fixation with limited internal fixation. In the cases where wound had not been possible to close primarily additional surgical procedures (soft tissue defects coverage) were performed. Results: Final functional outcome was excelent in 5(31,25%) patients, good in 6 (37,5%) patients, moderate in 3(18,75%) patients and bad in 2 (12,5%) patients (according Karlsson Score). Final anatomical and functional results were in correlation with the type of primary injury. One case of septic pseudoarthrosis and three cases of late ankle arthrosis were found as a major complication. Conclusion High-energy open distal tibial pilon fractures are still considered as a challange and significant surgical problem. The method of external fixation with or without limited internal fixation, as ?one-stage? method, was approved in clinical practice to give excelent and good final functional and anatomical results. Though final functional results were in correlation with degree of the injury, described method gives good outcome results and further clinical application will surely approve its clinical significance.