Objective To summarize the effect and complication of treatment for Pilon fracture using limited internal fixation combined with external fixation. Methods From April 1996 to June 2003, 20 patients with Pilon fracture were treated with limited internal fixation combined with external fixation as the treatment group and 22 patients with Pilon fracture with other methods as the control group. The X-ray films, clinical effect and complication were analyzed and compared between 2 groups. Results All cases were followed up for 8 to 26 months(15.2 months on average). According to Helfet’s criterion forclinical effect, the excellent and good rates were 75% in the treatment group and 72.7%in the control group, being no significant difference (Pgt;0.05). According to Burwell-charnley criterion for reduction, the X-ray film resultsshowed the excellent and good rates were 90% in the treatment group and 86.4% in the control group, being no significant difference (Pgt;0.05). But there was significant difference in complications between 2 groups (Plt;0.05). Conclusion Limited internal fixation combined with external fixation is better in resuming ankle joint function and remarkably reducing complication, especially in reducing soft tissue complication and collapse of bone joint; it is useful in the treatment of Pilon fracture.
ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical effect of surgical treatment of Pilon fractures accompanied with fibula fractures with the improved double operative approaches. MethodsBetween January 2012 and June 2015, 19 patients with closed Pilon fractures accompanied with fibula fractures (Rüedi-Allgöwer type Ⅲ) underwent open reduction and internal fixation with improved anterior-median incision and posterior-lateral incision. There were 13 males and 6 females, aged 35 years on average (range, 23-68 years). Injury was caused by traffic accident in 11 cases, falling from height in 7 cases, and crash injury of heavy object in 1 case. According to AO/OTA classification, there were 4 cases of type C2, and 15 cases of type C3. According to Tscherne-Gotzen classification of soft tissue defect, 6 cases were rated as grade 1 and 13 cases as grade 2. The interval of injury and operation was 6-18 days (mean, 10.3 days). After operation, reduction of Pilon fracture was evaluated by the Burwell-Charnley radiological evaluation criteria, and the ankle joint function was evaluated by the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score. ResultsThe operation time was 1.8-4.6 hours (mean, 2.4 hours); the intraoperative blood loss was 200-500 mL (mean, 310 mL). All the 19 patients were followed up for 13.7 months on average (range, 12-18 months). The fracture healing time was 3.6 months on average (range, 2.5-8.0 months). Postoperative complications included anterior-median incision necrosis in 2 cases, traumatic arthritis in 2 cases, and ankle instability in 1 case. According to Burwell-Charnley radiological evaluation criteria, anatomical reduction was obtained in 15 cases and satisfactory reduction in 4 cases. According to AOFAS score, the excellent and good rate was 84.2% (excellent in 11 cases, good in 5 cases, and fair in 3 cases). ConclusionThe improved anterior-median incision combined with posterior-lateral incision is a safe and effective method to treat complex Pilon fractures accompanied with fibula fractures, which has the advantages of simple operation, adequate exposure and minimal invasion.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of very low profile/variable angle locking plate (VLP) internal fixation for posterior Pilon fractures extending to the medial malleolus by posteromedial approach. MethodsA retrospective analysis was made on the clinical data from 13 patients with posterior Pilon fractures extending to the medial malleolus between December 2011 and August 2012. There were 4 males and 9 females with an average age of 48.9 years (range, 23-68 years). Fractures were caused by falling in 9 cases and by traffic accident in 4 cases. The locations were the left ankle in 6 cases and the right ankle in 7 cases. According to the Orthopedic Trauma Association (OTA) classification, 6 cases were rated as type 43B1, 4 cases as type 43B2, and 3 cases as type 43B3. Twelve cases had fibular fractures, including 11 cases of Denis-Weber type B, 1 case of Denis-Weber type C. The interval of injury and operation was 7-14 days (mean, 11.4 days). Open reduction was performed and VLP internal fixation was used for posterior malleolar fracture by posteromedial approach. ResultsPrimary healing of incision was obtained in all patients. Tibial nerve palsy was observed in 2 cases, and was cured after oral administration of mecobalamin. Twelve cases were followed up 12-18 months (mean, 14.5 months). According to the Burwell-Charnley's radiological evaluation system, 11 cases achieved anatomical reduction, 1 case achieved fair reduction. The fracture union time was 3-6 months (mean, 3.7 months). No loosening or breakage of internal fixation occurred during follow-up. According to the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot scale, the results were excellent in 7 cases, good in 4, and fair in 1; the excellent and good rate was 91.7%. ConclusionVLP internal fixation for posterior Pilon fractures extending to the medial malleolus by posteromedial approach can achieve good short-term effectiveness. The high quality of reduction is acquired under direct vision with low rate of soft tissue complications.
ObjectiveTo observe the effectiveness of 360° internal fixation by anteromedial and posterior-lateral approaches for high-energy closed Pilon fractures. MethodsBetween February 2013 and February 2015, 18 cases of high-energy closed Pilon fractures were treated. There were 11 males and 7 females with an average age of 40.5 years (range, 20-65 years). The causes were falling injury in 10 cases and traffic accident injury in 8 cases. All fractures were RüediAllgower type Ⅲ Pilon fracture combined with ipsilateral fibula fracture. The average interval from injury to operation was 8 days (range, 5-13 days). Reduction of fracture was performed by anteromedial and posterior-lateral approaches and the fracture fragments were fixed by 360° internal fixation. The effectiveness was assessed by ankle X-ray film and Mazur score at last follow-up. ResultsTwo cases had skin necrosis and received flap surgery, the other cases obtained primary healing of incision. All the cases were followed up 11.2 months on average (range, 3-27 months). X-ray film showed that all fractures healed at 3-4 months after operation (mean, 3.6 months). No deep infection or plate exposure occurred. According to Mazur score, the results were excellent in 8 cases, good in 7 cases, fair in 2 cases, and poor in 1 case, and the excellent and good rate was 83.3%. ConclusionThe effectiveness of the 360° internal fixation for treatment of high-energy closed Pilon fractures has the advantages of reliable fixation, early functional exercise, and good functional recovery of the ankle joint.
ObjectiveTo investigate the application value of three-dimensional reconstruction and virtual pre-operative planning for Pilon fractures. MethodsBetween July 2010 and June 2014, 16 patients with closed Pilon fracture were treated, including 12 males and 4 females with an average age of 36.5 years (range, 22-53 years) and a mean disease duration of 10.2 days (range, 6-14 days). According to AO/Orthopaedic Trauma Association (AO/OTA) typing, 2 cases were rated as 43.B2 type, 3 cases as 43.B3 type, 3 cases as 43.C1 type, 2 cases as 43.C2 type, and 6 cases as 43.C3 type. The preoperative CT data from 16 patients were imported into Mimics10.01 software to establish the detailed fracture three-dimensional digital models. Virtual operation of fracture reduction and implanting internal fixation was performed on the models, and the optional surgical planning was made. Based on the virtual preoperative planning, operations were performed. ResultsEstablished detailed three-dimensional Pilon fracture digital models could perfectly reflect the fracture characteristics, could be observed at any direction, and aided for fracture classification accurately. Virtual fracture operations of reduction, internal fixation and other could be performed to simulate the clinical operation, which could assist the surgeon better preoperative planning in achieving visual presentation and improving the communication. The operation time was 70-130 minutes (mean, 87.8 minutes); intraoperative blood loss volume was 30-150 mL (mean, 71.9 mL). The wounds healed by first intension in all patients. The mean follow-up time was 11.6 months (range, 8-18 months). Postoperative radiological results at 3 groups showed good anatomic reduction according to the Burwell-Charnley criteria, and the fracture healing time was 3-6 months (mean, 3.7 months). There was no complication of internal fixation loosening or breakage during follow-up. The American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score was 71-100(mean, 92.3); the results were excellent in 10 cases, good in 5 cases, and fair in 1 case, with an excellent and good rate of 93.8% at last follow-up. No loss of fracture reduction was observed on the X-ray film. ConclusionThe clinical feasibility of virtual reconstruction preoperative planning is good in the treatment of Pilon fractures, which helps surgeons better understanding Pilon fracure and making the surgical planning.
Objective To investigate the effectiveness and biomechanical analysis of 3 fixation methods of screw anterior-posterior fixation (SAPF), screw posterior-anterior fixation (SPAF), and buttress plate fixation (BPF) in treatment of posterior Pilon fractures. Methods Fifteen fresh-frozen skeleto-ligamentous lower leg specimens were harvested to establish the models of posterior Pilon fracture, and then fracture was fixed with BPF (n=5), SAPF (n=5), and SPAF (n=5). Vertical force was loaded to internal fixation failure in a speed of 1 cm/minute with servohydraulic testing machine. The instantaneous loads of 1 mm and 2 mm steps and the failure modes were recorded. Between May 2008 and December 2011, 56 patients with posterior Pilon fracture were treated with SAPF (SAPF group) in 11 cases, or SPAF (SPAF group) in 26 cases, or BPF (BPF group) in 19 cases. There was no significant difference in age, gender, injury cause, side, disease duration, and complications among groups (P gt; 0.05). Clinical and radiographic examinations were used to assess the reduction and healing of fracture; the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score and the visual analogue scale (VAS) were used to evaluate the functional outcomes. Results No breaking or bending was observed in all specimens, fixation failure was caused by cancellous bone compression. The instantaneous loads of 1 mm and 2 mm steps were the largest in BPF group, larger in SPAF group, and smallest in SAPF group, showing significant differences among 3 groups (P lt; 0.05). A total of 47 cases were followed up 16-54 months (9 in SAPF group, 22 in SPAF group, and 16 in BPF group), with a mean time of 35.2 months. Fixation failure was found in 2 cases of SAPF group; the other cases obtain bony union within 3 to 4 months (mean, 3.2 months) with no fixation failure. The AOFAS score was significantly lower in SAPF group than in SPAF and BPF groups (P lt; 0.05), but no significant difference was found between SPAF and BPF groups (P gt; 0.05). The VAS score was significantly higher in SAPF group than in SPAF and BPF groups (P lt; 0.05), but no significant difference was found between SPAF and BPF groups (P gt; 0.05). Conclusion SAPF could not reach enough fixation strength for the posterior Pilon fracture; both SPAF and BPF could reach rigid fixation, and have good effectiveness. And from the biomechanical points, BPF could reach better fixation strength than screw fixations.
Objective To explore the effectiveness of staged treatment of open Pilon fracture combined with soft tissue defect. Methods Between June 2007 and December 2012, 18 cases of open Pilon fracture combined with soft tissue defect were treated. There were 14 males and 4 females with an average age of 35 years (range, 19-55 years). The causes of injury included falling from height in 12 cases, traffic accident in 4 cases, and crushing by machine in 2 cases. According to AO classification, 1 case was classified as type B2 fracture, 3 cases as type B3 fracture, 5 cases as type C1 fracture, 5 cases as type C2 fracture, and 4 cases as type C3 fracture. Sixteen cases accompanied by fibular fracture (14 cases of simple fibular fracture and 2 cases of communicated fibular fracture). According to Gustilo classification, the soft tissue injuries were all type IIIB. In first stage, debridement and vaccum sealing drainage combined with external fixation were performed; open reduction and internal fixation of simple fibular fracture were used. In second stage, open reduction and internal fixation of Pilon fracture and communicated fibular fracture were performed, and the flaps of 6 cm × 5 cm to 18 cm × 14 cm were applied to repair soft tissue defect at the same time. The donor site was repaired by skin graft. Results Partial necrosis occurred in 2 flaps, the other 16 flaps survived completely. The incisions of donor sites healed by first intention, the skin graft survived completely. The average follow-up interval was 12 months (range, 6-24 months). The X-ray films showed that the bone healing time ranged from 5 to 8 months (mean, 6 months). No internal fixation failure was found. At last follow-up, the average range of motion of the ankle joint was 37° (range, 26-57°). According to the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) scale, the average score was 80.2 (range, 72-86). Traumatic arthritis occurred in 2 cases (11%). Conclusion The staged treatment has the advantages of accurate evaluation of soft tissue injury, shortened cure time, good reduction of the articular surface, and reduced incidence of infection, so it is an optimal method to treat open Pilon fracture combined with soft tissue defect.