Treatment of the Open Tibial Pilon Fractures - Using Limited Internal Fixation and External Fixation

Yoon, Hyung Ku; Jeon, Ho Seung; Cho, Key Nam; Kang, Seung Il

Abstract

Open tibial pilon fractures present extensive soft tissue disruption and common complications such as sepsis or skin slough, and deserve special cosideration in addition to the challenging reconstructive problems. The purpose of this study is to assess the effectiveness of limited internal fixation and external fixation for the treatment of the open tibial pilon fractures, and to introduce some idea in Ilizarov device use. We reviewed 27 open tibial pilon fractures treated with limited internal fixation and external fixation from Feb. 1992 to Mar. 1996(follow-up range, 1 to 5 years). Fracture classification(Ruedi and Allgower) was type I in 5, type II in 10 and type III in 12, open wound type(Gustilo-Anderson) was II in 8, IIIA in 17 and IIIB in two. Secondary procedures were 16 soft tissue procedures, 13 bone graftings and 2 limb lengthening. Mean time for removal of the external fixators was 3.5 months(range, 6 to 21 weeks), and clinical union averaged 4.3 months(range, 12 to 25 weeks). At the time of last follow-up, radiologic grading(Burwell and Charnley) showed 13 good(48%), 10 fair(37%) and 4 poor results(15%). Objective functional grading(Ovadia and Beals) showed 5 excellent(19%), 15 good(56%), 6 fair(22%) and 1 poor(4%), and subjective grading 2 excellent(7%), 16 good(59%), 7 fair(26%) and 2 poor(7%). Common complications included 10 wound sepsis(37%), 6 posttraumatic arthritis(22%) and 5 malunions(19%). In conclusion, we cosider limited internal fixation and external fixation is an effective treatment modality till bone union for open tibial pilon fractures, and Ilizarov method using tension wires crossed only through the fracture fragments can provide a sufficient early and late stability.