[Arthroscopically assisted treatment of tibial plateau fractures by tractive reduction with external fixator].
OBJECTIVE
To study the clinical effect of tractive reduction with external fixator and arthroscopically assisted treatment for tibial plateau fractures.


METHODS
From February 2003 to January 2005, a total of 26 cases with tibial plateau fractures were reviewed. There were 4 cases of type I fracture, 5 type II, 4 type III, 6 type IV, 5 type V and 2 type VI based on Schatzker criteria. Before operation, X-ray examination and CT scanning were done. During operation, the dissociative fragments were reconstructed by tractive reduction with external fixator arthroscopically and fixated with screws or plates.


RESULTS
All the fractures were healed within 1.5 - 4 months, with no severe complications such as poor wound healing, infection or osteofascial compartment syndrome. All patients that were followed up for 7 - 21 months (mean, 16 months) showed no traumatic osteoarthritis, inversion or eversion of the knee. According to the Rasmussen scoring system, the outcome was excellent in 11 cases, good in 13 and fair in 2, with total score of 27 +/- 2.


CONCLUSIONS
As for Schatzker type I - VI tibial plateau fractures, tractive reduction with external fixator and arthroscopically assisted treatment is characterized by minimal invasion, fast fracture healing. It broadens operative interspace of articular cavity, improves accuracy of reduction, is beneficial for knee joint function to recover.
Han
Ben-song
BS
Department of Orthopaedics, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai 200233, China. hanbensong@126.com
Fan
Cun-yi
CY
Zeng
Bing-fang
BF
Yang
Hua-qing
HQ
D000328:Adult; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D016267:External Fixators; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal; D005596:Fractures, Closed / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D014143:Traction / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome