Expert Tibial Nails for Treating Distal Tibial Fractures With Soft Tissue Damage: A Patient Series.

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Abstract

[Indexed for MEDLINE] 3. Orthopedics. 2011 Jun 14;34(6):161. doi: 10.3928/01477447-20110427-15. Posteromedial anatomical plate for the treatment of distal tibial fractures with anterior soft tissue injury. Hong J(1), Zeng R, Lin D, Guo L, Kang L, Ding Z, Xiao J. Author information: (1)Department of Orthopedic Surgery, the Affiliated Southeast Hospital of Xiamen University, Orthopedic Trauma Center of PLA, Zhangzhou, China. hongjy175@yahoo.com.cn The treatment of distal tibial fractures with anterior soft tissue injury is relatively difficult. The aim of this study was to explore the efficacy and safety of the posteromedial anatomical plate for such fractures. Between February 2006 and January 2009, twenty-six cases of distal tibial fracture with anterior soft tissue injury were treated with posteromedial anatomical plates designed by our traumatic orthopedic center. Of the 26 cases, 12 were open fractures (4 Gustilo-Anderson type I, 5 type II, 2 type IIIA, and 1 type IIIB), and 14 were closed fractures (3 Tscherne-Oestern type I, 9 type II, 2 type III). Operation time, intraoperative blood loss, fracture healing time, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle score, and complications were recorded to evaluate treatment effects.Mean operation time was 72.5 ± 15.8 minutes (range, 45-105 minutes) with a mean intraoperative blood loss volume of 86.4 ± 17.3 mL (range, 50-150 mL). All 26 patients had good postoperative fracture healing. Mean union time was 19.2 ± 4.4 weeks (range, 13-30 weeks). Average AOFAS ankle score was 87.3 ± 9.2 (range, 68-99). No malunion, nonunion, limb-shortening deformity, or neurovascular injury occurred. Our results suggest that the posteromedial anatomical plate for the treatment of distal tibial fractures with anterior soft tissue injury is effective and results in no severe complications. Copyright 2011, SLACK Incorporated. DOI: 10.3928/01477447-20110427-15