[Case-control studies on complex tibial plateau and posterior condylar fractures treated through combined anterior-posterior (small incision or micro-incision) approach].
OBJECTIVE
To study the therapeutic effects of combined anterior-posterior (small incision or micro-incision) approach for complex tibial plateau and posterior condylar fractures.


METHODS
From 2000 to 2008, 79 patients (81 limbs) with complex tibial plateau and posterior condylar fractures were reviewed. There were 45 males and 34 females, ranging in age from 19 to 66 years, with an average of 40.6 years. Thirty-nine limbs were treated using small incision through combined anterior-posterior approach, in which 13 limbs were Schatzker type IV, 15 limbs were type V ,and 11 limbs were type VI. Other 42 limbs were treated using micro-incision through combined anterior-posterior approach, in which 18 limbs were Schatzker type IV, 16 limbs were type V, and 8 limbs were type VI. The Rasmussen scores for knee joint and radio scores were used to evaluate therapeutic effects after the treatment. The complications such as cutaneous necrosis and incision infection were observed.


RESULTS
All the patients were followed up. According to Rasmussen criterion, in small incision group, 16 limbs got an excellent result, 13 good, 7 fair and 3 bad; in micro-incision group,above data were 19, 11, 8 and 4 respectively. Comparison between the two groups, P = 0.924. Comparison of complications such as cutaneous necrosis and incision infection: in small incision group,10 limbs had the complications, and in micro-incision group were 4 limbs; the occurrence rate of small incision group were higher than that of micro-incision group (P = 0.047).


CONCLUSIONS
There are no significant differences between the two groups in the knee joint function rehabilitation; however, there is smaller rate for cutaneous necrosis and incision infection in micro-incision group.
Li
Yan-Chao
YC
The TCM Hospital Affiliated to Medicine College of Luzhou, Luzhou 646000, Sichuan, China.
Fu
Shi-Jie
SJ
Xiao
Fu-Shen
FS
Wu
Guang-Hui
GH
Huang
Jia-Jun
JJ
Xiong
Fu-Sheng
FS
Peng
Liang-Ning
LN
Liao
Xiao-Bin
XB
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016512:Ankle Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000601:surgery*