Muller Type C Intercondylar Fractures of Femur : Comparative Analysis by Surgical Approach

Jung, Hong Geun; Kim, Myung Ho; Yoo, Moon Jib; Yoo, Suk Joo; Lee, Sung Churl; Park, Jin Young; Min, Sang Hyuk

Abstract

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to compare the functional results of Muller type C intercondylar fractures treated by 2 different surgical approaches : lateral and extensile approach.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The study is based on 20 patients 21 knees of Muller type C intercondylar fractures. Two surgical approaches, i.e. 13 cases with lateral and 8 cases with extensile approach were used. The functional evaluation of results was done with criteria by Schatzker and Lambert. Excellent and good was grouped superior while fair and failure was grouped inferior.
RESULTS
Comparative analysis by surgical approach showed that among total 10 cases of C2 fractures, 6 cases(85.7%) of lateral approach and 2 cases(66.7%) of extensile approach were categorized in inferior group. Among the 8 cases in type C3 fractures, 3 cases treated surgically using the lateral approach showed fair and failure results and 3 cases(60%) of the remaining 5 cases using the extensile approach showed good results.
CONCLUSION
There was no significant result difference between lateral and extensile approach in type C2 fractures, but in C3 fracture, cases with extensile approach showed better results. Therefore the extensile approach should be recommended in C3 intercondylar fractures with intra-articular comminution.