Comparison of Outcomes of Operatively Treated Proximal Tibia Fractures by Hybrid External Fixator and Plate Osteosynthesis

Introduction: Proximal tibial fractures are usually caused by high-energy trauma. The status of the soft-tissue cover denotes the amount of energy transmitted to the bone. The “gold standard” treatment for these fractures has been described as open reduction and internal fixation with plates and scr...

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Main Authors: Vishanth Krishna Rao, Avinash Parthasarathy, H. V. Venu Madhav, Noothan Palavalli Thippeswamy
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2024-05-01
Series:Journal of Orthopaedic Diseases and Traumatology
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Online Access:https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/jodp.jodp_22_24
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Summary:Introduction: Proximal tibial fractures are usually caused by high-energy trauma. The status of the soft-tissue cover denotes the amount of energy transmitted to the bone. The “gold standard” treatment for these fractures has been described as open reduction and internal fixation with plates and screws. In complex fractures with soft-tissue damage, the literature strongly favors the use of hybrid external fixators (HEFs) as a definitive treatment option. We aimed to determine and compare the functional and radiological outcomes of a HEF and plating osteosynthesis. Materials and Methods: This prospective comparative study included a total of 66 patients with proximal tibia fractures treated either with a HEF or with plate osteosynthesis (PO). The Rasmussen knee scale was used to assess the functional and radiological outcomes. Results: Of a total of 66 patients, 32 were in the HEF group and 34 were in the PO group. The average age ± standard deviation of the patients was 38.55 ± 11.76 years and majority were males (86.4%). Motor vehicle accidents was the most common cause. Sixteen (24.2%) patients had compound fractures. Both groups had similar rates of complications and reoperations. Superficial infection, including pin tract infection (n = 12), was the most commonly encountered complication. Conclusion: In summary, even with the statistically significant differences observed between OP and HEF patients, with its own set of complications HEF cannot be recommended over PO.
ISSN:2665-9352
2665-9360