Operative treatment of fractures of the tibial plafond. A randomized, prospective study.

We performed a randomized, prospective study to compare the results of two methods for the operative fixation of fractures of the tibial plafond. Surgeons were assigned to a group on the basis of the operation that they preferred (randomized-surgeon design). In the first group, which consisted of eighteen patients, open reduction and internal fixation of both the tibia and the fibula was performed through two separate incisions. An additional patient, who had an intact fibula, had fixation of the tibia only through an anteromedial incision. The second group consisted of twenty patients who were managed with external fixation with or without limited internal fixation (a fibular plate or tibial interfragmentary screws). Ten (26 per cent) of the thirty-nine fractures were open, and seventeen (44 per cent) were type III according to the classification of Rüedi and Allgöwer. There were fifteen operative complications in seven patients who had been managed with open reduction and internal fixation and four complications in four patients who had been managed with external fixation. All but four of the complications were infection or dehiscence of the wound that had developed within four months after the initial operation. The complications after open reduction and internal fixation tended to be more severe, and amputation was eventually done in three patients in this group. At a minimum of two years postoperatively (average, thirty-nine months; range, twenty-five to fifty-one months), the average clinical score was lower for the patients who had had a type-II or III fracture, regardless of the type of treatment. With the numbers available, no significant difference was found between the average clinical scores for the two groups. All of the patients, in both groups, who had had a type-II or III fracture had some degree of osteoarthrosis on plain radiographs at the time of the latest follow-up. With the numbers available, there was no significant difference between the two groups with regard to the osteoarthrotic changes. We concluded that external fixation is a satisfactory method of treatment for fractures of the tibial plafond and is associated with fewer complications than internal fixation.

Intramedullary nailing of acute femoral shaft fractures using manual traction without a fracture table.

Intramedullary (IM) nails were prospectively placed in 32 consecutive femoral shaft fractures without the use of a fracture table. All fractures were reduced using manual traction. Pathologic and nonacute fractures and those requiring a reconstruction nail were excluded. The results are compared with results of two prior study groups from this institution that underwent IM nailing with or without a fracture table using a femoral distractor. Ten patients had unstable spine or pelvis fractures. Four nailings followed exploratory laparotomy. Twelve patients underwent two or more procedures on the lower extremities under the same preparation and drape. Six fractures were open. Sixty-seven percent of results were anatomic, 27% had < 5 mm lengthening/shortening or < 5 degree varus/valgus, and 7% had > 5 mm lengthening/shortening or > 5 degree varus/valgus. Average operative time was 95 min. No complications occurred that were attributable to the technique. Compared with the prior study groups, no statistical difference in the fracture types or results was found. However, operative time was significantly less in the manual traction group (p < .05). We feel that this technique is a safe, simple, and effective alternative to using a fracture table. The technique is especially useful in the polytrauma patient, significantly decreasing anesthetic time.

Complications encountered in the treatment of pilon fractures.

A total of 52 tibial plafond (pilon) fractures in 51 patients were retrospectively reviewed from the years 1985-1990 to define the rate of complications encountered during their management. All fractures were managed under faculty supervision at a level I trauma center and its two affiliated institutions. The follow-up period was scrutinized to determine whether or not a complicating event occurred. Major local complications, termed events, were defined as those requiring unplanned surgery due to infection, wound breakdown with subsequent flap coverage, and failure of fixation or fracture healing. Reduction accuracy and final clinical results were not specifically examined. There were 14 (27%) type I, 17 (33%) type II, and 21 (40%) type III Ruedi-Allgower fracture types. The majority (79%) of the fractures were closed and 89% were treated by open reduction and internal fixation. The overall local complication rate was 54%. A total of 21 (40%) pilon fractures (six type I, six type II, and nine type III) had major local complicating events requiring 77 additional operations. Patient follow-up time ranged from 1 week (the occurrence of a major local complication) to 200 weeks (no complication), with a mean of 67 weeks. Kaplan-Meier survivorship (K-M) analysis was utilized to statistically estimate the complication rate in this patient population accounting for the occurrence of censored events. The K-M-determined event rate was 42 +/- 7%. Ten (of 21) pilon fractures had events by 3 weeks, while only two occurred beyond 40 weeks.

Intramedullary nailing of acute femoral shaft fractures without a fracture table: technique of using a femoral distractor.

Intramedullary nails were placed prospectively in 25 acute femoral shaft fractures in 25 patients without the use of a fracture table. A femoral distractor was used in 21 of the 25 patients to aid in obtaining and holding a reduction. Our goals were to determine if the technique was safe and effective for insertion of intramedullary nails in a wide spectrum of femoral fractures--with no increase in morbidity when compared to the use of the more familiar fracture table--and to determine the potential complications and pitfalls of using this technique. A retrospective evaluation of the most recent 25 patients with 27 femoral fractures that underwent intramedullary nailing on a fracture table was done to compare operative time, estimated blood loss, complications, and postoperative fracture alignment. In addition to the clinical evaluation, cadaveric dissections were undertaken to determine the exact location of the proximal distractor screw in relation to the contents of the femoral triangle. The femoral nerve was a minimum of 2.5 cm, and the femoral artery a minimum of 3.0 cm from the proximal screw. In comparing the two studies, no significant difference was noted in the age of the patients, fracture types or locations, associated injuries, operative time, estimated blood loss, final fracture reduction, or nail position. No complications were encountered in the placement of the proximal femoral distraction screw. Although the distraction method is technically difficult because the reduction is obtained entirely during the procedure, there are certain situations when this technique could be employed with the benefit of decreasing intraoperative patient manipulation, thereby shortening operative time.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)