The role of arthroscopic investigation in the treatment of tibial plateau fracture with homeopathic double reverse traction reduction and internal fixation / 中华骨科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To explore the role of arthroscopic exploration in the treatment of tibial plateau fractures with homeopathic double reverse traction reduction and internal fixation.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the data of 188 patients with tibial plateau fractures treated by homeopathic double reverse traction reduction assisted internal fixation and arthroscopic exploration at the Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University from January 2019 to December 2021. There were 129 males and 59 females, aged 46.7±11.8 years (range, 14-80 years); 115 cases on the left and 73 cases on the right. Schatzker classification of fractures: 81 cases of type II, 15 cases of type III, 23 cases of type IV, 29 cases of type V, and 40 cases of type VI. The time from injury to surgery was 1-14 days, with an average of 10±5 days. The surgery was performed with double reverse traction assisted reduction, locking bone plate and self-breaking compression bolt fixation. Then, arthroscopy was used to explore the quality of fracture reduction, meniscus and ligament damage, and the corresponding intra-articular lesions were treated, such as partial meniscus resection, complete meniscus resection, or suturing. The Rasmussen score was used to evaluate the quality of fracture reduction after surgery, and the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) knee joint score was used to evaluate the postoperative function of the knee joint.Results:All patients successfully completed fracture reduction, fixation, and arthroscopic exploration. The average surgical time was 95±21 min (range, 30-120 min); The average intraoperative bleeding volume was 120±58 ml (range, 50-300 ml). All patients were followed up for 10-24 months, with an average of 18±6.5 months. All patients' fractures achieved clinical healing after surgery, with a healing time of 2.5-6.0 months, with an average of 3±2.4 months. Among them, 165 patients (87.8%, 165/188) healed within 3 months after surgery, while the remaining 23 patients healed within 4-6 months after surgery. Arthroscopic exploration revealed that 188 patients had good fracture reduction and a flat articular surface. Among them, 97 cases (51.6%, 97/188) were complicated with meniscus injury, with longitudinal tear (29%, 28/97) being the most common, suture treatment was performed under arthroscopy; the remaining 69 patients underwent partial meniscectomy. All the patient's knee function recovered well at the last follow-up. 29 cases (15.4%, 29/188) were complicated with cruciate ligament injury, none of them underwent primary repair and were fixed with plaster or brace after operation. The Rasmussen score for the final follow-up after surgery was 16.8±2.4 points (range, 6-18 points), with 152 cases being excellent and 36 cases being good, with a 100% excellent and good rate. The HSS knee joint scores were 79.8±9.2 points, 85.1±10.1 points, and 94.9±7.6 points at 3, 6 months after surgery, and at the last follow-up, respectively, with statistically significant differences ( F=52.53, P<0.001). Superficial skin infection occurred in 2 cases after operation, which was cured by regular dressing change and anti-infection treatment with antibiotics. Deep vein thrombosis occurred in 7 cases within 1 week after operation, and low molecular weight heparin anticoagulation therapy was given. Conclusion:After using double reverse traction assisted reduction and internal fixation, arthroscopic examination can not only evaluate the quality of reduction for tibial plateau fractures, but also handle combined meniscus injuries and evaluate the condition of cruciate ligament injuries.