J Korean Fract Soc.  2011 Jan;24(1):23-27. 10.12671/jkfs.2011.24.1.23.

Minimally Invasive Plate Osteosynthesis for Proximal Tibial Shaft Fracture

• Byun YS
• Park KC
• Bong HJ
• Lee CH

• KMID: 1449412
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.12671/jkfs.2011.24.1.23

Abstract

PURPOSE
To report the results of patients treated by minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) for proximal tibial shaft fractures.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
From September 2003 to June 2008, thirty-two patients with proximal tibial shaft fractures weretreated by MIPO. There were 22 men and 10 women and mean age was 43.8 years (range; 21~72 years). Follow-up was available for all patients and the mean follow-up period was 19.5 months (range; 12~40 months). Duration of union, range of knee motion and postoperative complications were evaluated.
RESULTS
Twenty-nine patients (90.6%) healed after the MIPO technique. The mean duration of radiographic union was 18.3 weeks (range; 10~28 weeks). The mean range of knee motion was 134 degrees at the last follow-up. There were 1 non-union, 2 delayed unions, 1 superficial infection, 1 deep infection, 2 malunions with more than 5 degrees of malalignment and 14 cases of skin irritation by plate.
CONCLUSION
MIPO is an effective treatment for closed, proximal tibialshaft fractures. More aggressive treatment such as dual plating should be considered in fractures with severe comminution or bone loss.

Keyword

Proximal tibia; Locking compression plate; MIPO

MeSH Terms

Female
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Knee
Male
Postoperative Complications
Skin

Figure

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  Fig. 1 (A, B) A 68-year old man with severe communited proximal tibial fracture. (C, D) The fracture was healed 20 weeks after surgery.

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  Fig. 2 (A, B, C) A 69-year-old man with severe communited, open proximal tibial fracture by traffic acident. (D) Clinical photograph after application of external fixator. (E) Follow-up radiograph after 16 weeks shows metal failure. (F, G) The dual plating was performed after removal of internal devices. (H, I) Bone union with satisfactory functional results was achieved at 6 months after second operation.

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