A two-choice strategy through a medial tibial approach for the treatment of pilon fractures with posterior or anterior fragmentation

摘要

Objective:The anterolateral approach to the tibia has been popularized for the management of tibial pilon fractures.For complex fracture pattems a combined anterolateral/anteromedial approach is suitable but a high rate of complication has been reported.In our retrospective study a two-choice strategy adopting a medial tibial approach was proposed for the treatment ofpilon fractures with anterior or posterior fragmentation.Methods:Based on an anatomic study oftibial pilon fractures,we retrospectively analyzed the fractures with primary posterior,posterior-lateral or anterior,anterior-lateral (Tillaux-Chaput) involvement of the distal tibia.This retrospective study consisted of 18 patients with a closed tibial plafond fracture.The inclusion criteria were:(1) presence of an anterior/anterolateral type fragment or a posterior (Volkmann) type fragment involving ＞25％ of the articular surface,(2) a minimum follow-up of 12 months,(3) a fibula fracture associated with a medial column fracture of the distal tibia,and (4) soft tissue conditions at the time of operation that did not compromise the choice of surgical access (Tscherne classification for closed fractures:grade 0 and grade 1).Tibial plafond fractures were classified into two groups:one presenting anterior and the other with posterior rim (Volkmann) fragments.Results:Most patients achieved a good clinical recovery in terms of range of motion and Olerud-Molander scale scores.Only three patients presented a grade 2 osteoarthritis at the 12 month follow-up.Conclusion:Our two-choice strategy highlights concepts which have been previously debated and described in the literature.But a new extended protocol for surgical approach to the distal tibia,including more fracture patterns and their association should be further investigated.