PERCUTANEOUS PLATING OF DISTAL TIBIAL FRACTURES – A REVIEW OF OUTCOMES AND COMPLICATIONS

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the outcomes following percutaneous insertion of angle stable plate for operative management of distal Tibial fractures and the incidence of complications associated with this procedure.

Method: A retrospective analysis of all patients who underwent percutaneous plating of distal tibia was performed. Of 51 cases 3 were holiday makers who returned to their local hospitals, leaving 48 who were followed up until union. These were all the cases treated in our units using this technique from January 2002 – September 2005.

Results: The mean time to callus formation was 9 weeks (7–12), full weight bearing was 4 weeks (0–20) and solid union was 23 weeks (18–29). The mean hospital stay was 9 days (2–31). The overall complication rate was 18%. Significant complications included problems with union (6%) and deep infection (4%).

However 2 surgeons operated on 40 of the patients with a complication rate of 10% (1 non union, 1 superficial infection and 2 delayed removal of plate).

Conclusions: We found the use of percutaneous angle stable plates in operative treatment of distal Tibial fractures very effective with acceptable complication rates. Our data suggests that with greater experience of this fixation method complication rates can be reduced.