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Fig. 1

(A) A man was sustained distal tibia fracture with severe soft tissue swelling and blister.

(B) A temporary external fixator was applied to reduce the fracture and to maintain the length and alignment of the limb.

(C) A skeletal traction with calcaneal Steinmann pin was applied temporarily.

Fig. 2

(A) Medial and (B) anterolateral distal tibia locking plate (Synthes®, Zimmer®). (C) Application of periarticular distal tibia locking plate system (from Synthes®).

Fig. 3

(A) Apply femoral distractor to correct axial malalignment and to maintain the length. (B) First, fix the fibula taking care to restore length, alignment and rotation. Also, the fibula is fixed to increase the stability of the ankle fracture. (C) Directly reduce the fragment using pointed forcep. (D) Holding the fragment by pointed forcep, insert interfragmenary lag screw before plating. (E) An additional T-plate was applied through limited approaches to buttress a large metaphyseal defect.

Fig. 4

(A, B) A 47 year-old man had distal tibia fracture. (C) Minimal skin incisions were shown proximally and distally on the medial side of tibia. (from AO surgery reference) (D, E) Minimally invasive percutaneous insertion of the LCP using drill sleeve on distal tibia. The location and size of plate, and the reduced fracture site was verified by fluoroscopy. (F) The compression screw can be used through the conventional hole for plate adjustment. (G) Interfragmentory lag screw was inserted under fluoroscopic guidance. (H) Skin incisions were determined minimally under fluoroscopic guidance for screw fixation. (I, J) 4 months after operation, the distal tibia fracture was achieved adequate reduction and bony union.

Fig. 5

Partial weight-bearing was permitted by applying Ankle-Foot-Orthosis.

Fig. 6

(A, B) A 26 year-old man was stained distal tibia and fibular open fractures.

(C, D) A temporary external fixator was applied immediately to maintain the alignment due to severe soft tissue injury.

(E) The Vacuum Assisted Closure (VAC) device was used to facilitate wound healing by converting an open wound to a closed wound. 4 weeks after applying Wound VAC, granulation tissue was formed and wound was closed.

(F) Immediate postoperative x-ray, the distal tibia and fibular fracture achieved adequate reduction.

(G, H, I, J) The patient had a good bony union and clinical outcomes.

Fig. 7

(A, B) A 40 year-old man was sustained distal tibia comminuted fracture combined with distal tibiofibular joint comminution caused by falling down.

(C, D) Immediate operation was impossible due to medical comorbidity, so calcaneal traction was applied temporarily.

(E, F) The fracture was treated with percutaneous plating using LCP-MP on medial side at 2 weeks after injury.

(G) Clinical photo showed multiple minimal incisions intraoperatively.

(H, I, J) A successful union was achieved with a good functional outcome.

Fig. 8

(A) A 53 year-old man was sustained proximal and distal tibia open comminuted fractures by traffic accident.

(B, C) Spanning external fixator was applied immediately to maintain the alignment.

(D) The fractures were treated with MIPO using LCP-DTP on medial side at 3 weeks after injury.

(E) Delayed infection was developed at primary open site and plate was exposed at 2 months postoperatively.

(F) Patient underwent curettage and antibiotic bead insertion without plate removal.

(G, H, I) A successful union was achieved at 9 months postoperatively, with a good functional outcome.

Table 1

Literature reviews on outcomes and complications of MIPO for distal tibia fractures

Figure & Data

REFERENCES

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by  

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