The treatment of tibial plafond fractures with external fixation: closed or limited open reduction technique

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the results of treatment for tibial plafond fractures with the use of external fixation with closed or limited open reduction. Methods: Twenty-two fractures of 21 patients (14 males, 7 females; mean age 28.2 years; range 19 to 52 years) were evaluated. According to the Ruedi and Allgower classification, the types of fractures were I, II, and III in four, four, and 14 patients, respectively. Four patients had grade I, four had grade II, and five had grade III open fractures. The tibial joint surface restoration was made by limited open reduction and minimal osteosynthesis (n=7); and fibular restoration with tubular plates (n=4), and Rush pins (n=6). The fixators were circular (n=8), monolateral (n=10), and hybrid (n=4). Primary otogeneous bone grafting was performed in four cases with metaphyseal bone defect, and skin grafting for soft tissue coverage in two cases. The results were evaluated according to the Teeny criteria. The mean duration for external fixation was nine weeks (6 to 15 weeks); the mean follow-up was 27 months (6 to 48 months). Results: The results were excellent in five cases, good in five, fair in seven, and poor in five cases. Bone and soft tissue infections were not encountered. Complications included skin slought (n=3), malunion having more than 5° tilt on the tibial joint surface (n=4), and post-traumatic osteoarthrosis that required ankle arthrodesis (n=1). Conclusion: Treatment with external fixators with limited open reduction or closed reduction is safe and effective in high energy fractures that may present an increased risk for wound healing problems when treated by the traditional method.