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.
Objective To explore an improved method of surgical operation for redintegration of the articular surface and alignment with type III Pilon fractures. Methods Between August 2005 and August 2010, 31 patiens with closed type III Pilon fracture (Rüedi-Allgouml;wer type III) were treated. There were 25 males and 6 females, aged 36.8 years on average (range, 16-60 years). The injury was caused by falling from height in 18 patients, by traffic accident in 10 patients, and by other reasons in 3 patients. The average time between injury and operation was 10 days (range, 6-14 days). Temporary external fixation was used for adjustment and maintenance of limb length and power lines; application of fibular flip combined with anteromedial approach was used for the repair of articular surface; and bone grafting and fixation were performed. Results No extensive necrosis or deep infection were observed. Superficial skin infection of incision and wound edge necrosis occurred in 2 cases respectively, and were cured after dressing change. All patients were followed up 26 months on average (range, 9-79 months). According to the Burwell et al. judging standards of radiology evaluating, the anatomical reduction was found in 25 cases (80.6%), satisfactory reduction in 4 cases (12.9%), and unsatisfactory reduction in 2 cases (6.5%). The X-ray films showed bony healing was achieved in all cases with an average fracture healing time of 16 weeks (range, 12-25 weeks). According to the Mazur et al. criterion for ankle joint function, excellent result was obtained in 11 cases, good in 13, fair in 5, and poor in 2; the excellent and good rate was 77.4%. Conclusion Good exposure and fixation of articular surface or accurate adjustments and maintenance of the limb alignment are key factors of successful operation to treat type III Pilon fractures.
Objective To investigate the clinical effect of the reverse transposition of pedicled soleus muscle flap in repairing soft tissue defects after Pilon fracture fixation. Methods From May 2002 to June 2006, 14 patients (11 males, 3 females; aging 2050 years) with soft tissue defects afterPilon fracture fixationunderwent repairing operations with the reverse soleus muscle flaps. The soft tissue defects ranged from 7.0 cm×3.5 cm to 100 cm×60 cm. Of the patients, Pilon fractures were treated by internal fixations in 9 cases, open Pilon fractures weretreated by external fixations in 5 cases. The area of muscle flap ranged from 8.5 cm×5.5 cm to 12.5 cm×7.5 cm. Results All patients achieved primary healings, and the grafting skin survived. Twelve flaps survived completely but 2 flapshad mildinfection, which survived after dressing change. Eleven patients were followed up for 3 to 26 months, averaged 15 months. The flap appearances were good and smooth without ulceration. The dorsiflexion ranges of ankle joint were 10-25°, and plantar flexion ranges were 15-40°. The gait was normal. Conclusion The reverse soleus muscle flap is no need to reveal blood vessel pedicle and has constant position of anatomy. It has big muscle belly, convenient to move and circuitation 180°. It is profitable to reduce infection rate and to promote wound healing to raise local osteotylus.
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.
Objective To explore an improved method of surgical operation for reposition of the articular surface with Type Ⅲ Pilon fractures. Methods From January 1999 to December 2005, 20 patients (22 sides) with Type Ⅲ Pilon fractures were treated with the delayed open reduction and the internal fixation, which took the superior articular surface of the talus as a templet so as to reposition the lower articular surface of the tibia, strengthen the bone transplantation, fasten the internal fixation, and make an early functional exercise possible. Complete data were obtained from 16 of the patients with 18 sides (13 males,15 sides; 3 females, 3 sides; age, 14-48 years). The injury due to a fallingaccident was found in 12 patients (14 sides), and due to a traffic accident in 4patients (4 sides). Results The healing of the first intention was achieved in 14 sides, the delayed healing in 3 sides, and the infection in 1 side. The follow-up of all the 16 patients for 971 months (average, 22 months) including the X-ray examinations revealed that no screw for the internal fixation entering the articular cavity. According to the Teeny’s judging standards of radiology evaluating the result of the surgery for Pilon fractures, the anatomical reduction of the related articular surface was found in 77.8% of the sides (14/18) and thehealing of the first intention (stage Ⅰ) in 94.4% (17/18). According to the Mazur’s criteria, an excellent result was obtained in 5 sides, good in 7, fair in 5, and poor in 1. The excellent and good result was 66.7%. Conclusion Propermanagement of the injured soft tissues, prompt recovery of the tibial distant plateau height, and accurate reposition of the articular surface, enough transplant bone for the solid support, b internal fixation for the distant tibial anatomical structure, and early functional exercise are the key points to the successful operation.
Objective By comparing with traditional L-shaped plate, to explore the effectiveness of new Pilon plate in the treatment of type C Pilon fracture.Methods A clinical data of 57 patients with type C Pilon fractures who met the selection criteria between May 2018 and January 2020 was analyzed retrospectively. Thirty-two patients were treated with new Pilon plate (trial group) and 25 patients with traditional L-shaped plate (control group). There was no significant difference in gender, age, cause of injury, fracture side and type, the interval between injury and operation between the two groups (P>0.05). The operation time and complications of the two groups were recorded. X-ray films were taken after operation to assess the quality of fracture reduction according to the Burwell-Charnley classification and fracture healing. Ankle function was evaluated according to Johner-Wruhs scoring standard and American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score.Results The operations of the two groups were completed successfully, and the operation time of the trial group was significantly shorter than that of the control group (t=–3.025, P=0.005). After operation, the incision necrosis occurred in 2 cases of the control group, and the incisions of other patients in both groups healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 8-16 months, with an average of 10.1 months. There was no significant difference in follow-up time between the two groups (t=0.433, P=0.667). X-ray films showed that the ankle reduction of the trial group was rated as excellent in 28 cases and good in 4 cases, with an excellent and good rate of 100%, while in the control group, the ankle reduction was rated as excellent in 15 cases, good in 5 cases, and fair in 5 cases, with an excellent and good rate of 80.0%. There was a significant difference in the excellent and good rate of fracture reduction between the two groups (Z=–2.565, P=0.010). The fracture healed in both groups, and the healing time was (16.59±3.78) weeks in the trial group and (17.80±3.81) weeks in the control group, and there was no significant difference between the two groups (t=–1.191, P=0.239). At last follow-up, according to Johner-Wruhs scoring standard, the ankle joint function in the trial group was evaluated as excellent in 25 cases and good in 7 cases, with an excellent and good rate of 100%; the AOFAS score was 90.9±4.5. In the control group, 16 cases were excellent, 5 cases were good, and 4 cases were fair, and the excellent and good rate was 84.0%; the AOFAS score was 85.2±10.0. The ankle function scores of the trial group was superior to that of the control group (P<0.05). During follow-up, except for 1 case of ankle traumatic arthritis in the control group, there was no complication such as ankle malunion, plate loosening and fracture, or fracture reduction loss in both groups.Conclusion Compared with the traditional L-shaped plate, the new Pilon plate in the treatment of type C Pilon fracture has the advantages of high reduction quality, reliable fixation, less irritation to soft tissue, high fracture healing rate, and satisfactory functional recovery of ankle joint.
ObjectiveTo analyze the importance and effectiveness of Tillaux bone block in Ruedi-Allgower type Ⅲ of Pilon fracture surgery.MethodsTwenty-one patients with Pilon fractures with Tillaux dislocation were treated between February 2010 and September 2013. There were 17 males and 4 females, aged from 28 to 68 years with an average age of 42.9 years. The causes of injury included falling from height in 13 cases, falls injury in 4 cases, crush injury in 2 cases, and sprained injury in 2 cases. X-ray film and CT examination showed that all 21 patients had fibula fracture and Tillaux bone block had obvious displacement. According to AO/OTA classification, there were 3 cases of type C1.2, 1 case of type C1.3, 10 cases of type C2, and 7 cases of type C3. The duration from injury to operation ranged from 4 to 31 days, with an average of 10 days. All cases of Pilon fracture were treated with open reduction and plate internal fixation. Steel plate or screw was used to fixation for Tillaux block; allograft bone graft was selected for compression of fracture.ResultsThere were 2 cases of skin necrosis at the corner of wound after operation, and the wound healed after corresponding treatment; the wound healed at first intention in the other 19 cases. The effect of surgical reduction was evaluated by Burwell-Chamley imaging scoring system within 72 hours after operation, there were 19 cases of anatomical reduction and 2 cases of general reduction. All the 21 patients were followed up 18-48 months, with an average of 24.9 months. No complication such as nerve injury, loosening of internal fixation, or periprosthetic fracture was found during follow-up. All fractures obtained bone healing, which lasted from 4 to 8 months, with an average of 6 months. The ankle and hindfoot scores of the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) were used to evaluate the ankle and hindfoot function at 1 year after operation or at last follow-up, the results were excellent in 13 cases, good in 6 cases, and fair in 2 cases, with an excellent and good rate of 90.5%. Internal fixator was removed from 19 patients at 15-19 months after operation. There were 17 cases of joint hyperplasia and 4 cases of osteoarthritis. All joint mobility was restored. The functional recovery of the ankle joint was evaluated according to the Olerud-Molander ankle fracture score standard, the results were good in 6 cases, fair in 8 cases, and poor in 7 cases at postoperative full weight training; and after 1 year of full weight training, the results were excellent in 10 cases, good in 3 cases, fair in 6 cases, and poor in 2 cases.ConclusionThe Tillaux bone block is a reliable marker for the reduction of complex Pilon fractures. The reconstruction of the Tillaux can improve the effectiveness of complex Pilon fractures.
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.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effectiveness of the nose ring drain (NRD) technique combined with Ilizarov circular external fixation in treatment of Gustilo ⅢA Pilon fracture.MethodsBetween March 2017 and December 2019, 17 patients with Gustilo ⅢA Pilon fractures were admitted and treated with NRD technique combined with Ilizarov circular external fixation. Among them, there were 11 males and 6 females; the age ranged from 24 to 63 years, with an average of 38.2 years. There were 3 cases of traffic accident injury, 13 cases of falling injury, and 1 case of penetrating injury. There were 13 cases of emergency admittance and 4 cases of wound infection after surgical treatment. Furthermore, there were 2 cases of fibula fractures and 3 cases of lateral malleolus fractures. ResultsAll patients were followed up 8-12 months, with an average of 9.9 months. All wounds healed by first intention, and 4 patients with preoperative infection had no recurrence during the follow-up. The external fixator was removed after fracture healing in 17 patients at 3-7 months after operation (mean, 4.5 months). At last follow-up, the pain score of the ankle joint Kofoe score was 40-50, with an average of 44; the functional score was 17-27, with an average of 25; the mobility score was 8-18, with an average of 14; and the effectiveness was rated as excellent in 8 cases, good in 7 cases, and poor in 1 case.ConclusionFor Gustilo ⅢA Pilon fractures, the NRD technique combined with Ilizarov circular external fixation has advantages of good fracture fixation and drainage effects, which greatly reduces the complications of traditional treatment options and the number of operations.
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.