TIBIAL PLATEAU FRACTURES

Abstract

Background: Tibial fractures is most common type of long bone fractures. Highspeed lifestyles with vehicles motorcycles as well as growing waves of violence, contributingincrease occurrence of tibial fractures. Tibial plateau fractures continues to be a challenge fororthopedic surgeon. Treatment of these fractures have been plagued by complications. Recentimprovements in the techniques and development of hybrid external fixator have revolutionizedthe treatment of such fractures. Objective: To evaluate the clinical outcomes of hybrid externalfixator in high energy Schatzkar V and VI tibial plateau fractures. Study Design: Descriptive,Case series. Period: 27 June 2013 to 26 June 2016. Setting: Nishtar Hospital, Multan. Materialand methods: A total of 125 patients with open and close tibial plateau fractures, 20 to 50 yearsof age of both genders were included in the study. Patients having history of pervious surgeryor intervention tibial plateau fractures, and h/o malignancy were excluded. All the patients wereoperated by a consultant orthopedic surgeon. Outcome was assessed at 16 weeks by serialradiological x-ray by formation of callus and noting any grade of pin track infection. Results; Ourstudy comprised of 125 patients having Schatzker V and Schatzker VI tibial plateau fractureswho met our inclusion criteria. Mean age of 38.925 ± 7.09 years. Majority of the patients 47(37.60%) were between 41 to 50 years of age. Mean duration since injury in our study was 13.18± 4.79 hours. Out of 125 patients, 102 (81.60%) were males and 23(18.40%) were females withmale to female ratio of 1.2:5.4. Fifty three (42.4%) patients presented with Schatzker V and 72(57.6%) had Schatzker VI type of tibial plateau fractures. In our study, non-union was seen in10cases (8.0%) and pin track infection was noted to be present in 19 (15.20%) patients. So, theacceptable outcome (achievement of union without non-union or pin track infection during 16weeks) was seen in 96(76.8%) patients. Conclusion: This study concluded that there is highrate of acceptable outcome (achievement of union without any non-union or pin track infectionduring 16 weeks) after hybrid external fixator of the open and closed fractures of tibial plateauamong the patients having schatzker-V and VI.