J Korean Fract Soc.  2003 Oct;16(4):474-481.

Minimally Invasive Plate Osteosynthesis for Distal Femoral Fractures

• Kim SJ
• Oh CW
• Jeon IH
• Kim HS
• Park BC
• Kyung HS
• Ihn JC
• Jung HS

Abstract

PURPOSE: We retrospectively reviewed the outcomes and advantages of minimal invasive plating osteosynthesis (MIPO) technique as a new treatment of distal femoral fractures.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Sixteen supracondylar femoral fractures (15 patients) were treated by MIPO technique and evaluated radiologically and functionally after minimal 1 year follow-up (average; 22 months, range; 13~42 months). There were 9 women and 6 men with a mean age of 46 years old (range 35 to 64 years). Seven fractures were extended into knee joints (AO/OTA type C), and 9 were extraarticular (AO/OTA type A). Five cases were open fractures (type I; 2, type II; 3) according to the Gustilo-Anderson classification. After minimal lateral parapatellar incision and accurate reduction of intra-articular fractures, the supracondylar fractures were fixed by percuatneous plating method without exposure of fracture area. Neer scoring was used for functional evaluation of knee. RESULT: At a mean of 17 weeks (range 14 to 22), most fractures united without secondary procedures. One case of nonunion had the procedure of bone graft, but there were no other complications including shortening over 1 cm, mal-alignment over 10 degrees, or deep infections. All the cases had good or excellent knee function, and the average range of knee motion was 120.6 degrees.
CONCLUSION
MIPO technique is a worthwhile method of managing distal femoral fractures with good unions and functional recovery.

Keyword

Distal femoral fracture; Minimal invasive plating osteosynthesis (MIPO) technique

MeSH Terms

Classification
Female
Femoral Fractures*
Follow-Up Studies
Fractures, Open
Humans
Intra-Articular Fractures
Knee
Knee Joint
Male
Middle Aged
Retrospective Studies
Transplants