SINGLE LATERAL PLATE VERSUS DOUBLE PLATING OF COMMINUTED SUPRACONDYLAR FEMORAL FRACTURES

Abstract

Background: Fractures of the distal femur are rare and severe. For an extra-articular fracture, all therapeutic options are possible and mini-invasive surgery can be performed. In case of an intra-articular fracture, open reduction and internal plate fixation should be performed. Objective: To evaluate the functional and radiological outcomes of 20 patients with comminuted supracondylar fractures managed by either single or double plating. Patients and Methods: A prospective randomized clinical study was done in the period between November 2019 and September 2020 involving 20 cases with distal femoral fractures. All patients were operated at Al-Azhar University Hospitals and Al-Helal Hospital. Patients were divided into two groups/ preoperatively. The patients were randomly allocated for treatment with either: Group I managed by single lateral plate ,or group II managed by double plating. Results: There were insignificant differences between the two groups regarding range of movement, pain, knee society score and complications. Conclusion: Although both lateral and double plating fixation using dual approach for type C2 and C3 distal femoral fractures were efficient and safe methods of management, double plating recommended in these cases, i.e. medial supracondylar bone loss, low transcondylar bicondylar fracture, medial Hoffa fracture, per prosthetic distal femur fractures, nonunion after failed fixation with single lateral plate, poor bone quality and comminuted distal femur fractures C3.