J Korean Fract Soc.  2005 Apr;18(2):155-159. 10.12671/jkfs.2005.18.2.155.

Minimally Invasive Plate Osteosynthesis in Unstable Fractures of the Distal Tibia

• Chang SA
• Ahn HS
• Byun YS
• Kim JH
• Bang HH
• Kwon DY

• KMID: 2035982
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.12671/jkfs.2005.18.2.155

Abstract

PURPOSE: evaluate the effectiveness of minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) in unstable fractures of the distal tibia.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
From March 2001 to December 2003, 21 cases with unstable fractures of the distal tibia were treated with MIPO technique and followed for at least one year. Eighteen cases were extra-articular and three cases were intra-articular fractures. According to AO classification, six cases were 42-A, four 42-B, one 42-C, seven 43-A, and three 43-C. There was only one case of Gustilo-Anderson type II open fracture. We reviewed the results of fracture healing, axial and rotational deformity, ankle motion, and complications
RESULTS
All fractures were healed in an average of 16.1 weeks (range, 11 to 24 weeks). There was only one case of 7-degree posterior angular deformity, but no cases of rotational malalignment. Recovery of ankle motion was satisfactory in all patients within 5-degree loss of motion. Subcutaneous abscess was developed in one case after fracture healing and cured by a drainage with implant removal.
CONCLUSION
Although MIPO technique is technically more demanding than the traditional open technique, MIPO technique is an effective method for unstable fractures of the distal tibia because it minimizes incidence of soft-tissue compromise and infection and provides good fracture healing.

Keyword

Distal tibia; Unstable fracture; Minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO)

MeSH Terms

Abscess
Ankle
Classification
Congenital Abnormalities
Drainage
Fracture Healing
Fractures, Open
Humans
Incidence
Intra-Articular Fractures
Tibia*