title: Locking internal fixator with minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis for the proximal and distal tibial fractures.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the efficacy of the locking internal fixator (LIF), which includes the locking compression plate (LCP) and the less invasive stable system (LISS), in the proximal and distal tibial fractures.
  
  
  METHODS
  We did a retrospective study on a total of 98 patients with either proximal or distal tibial fractures from January 2003 to January 2007, who had received the operation with LIF by the minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) technique. The data consisted of 43 proximal tibial fractures (type AO41C3) and 55 distal tibial fractures (type AO43C3).
  
  
  RESULTS
  No complications were observed in all patients after operation. The mean healing time was 8.4 months (range 5-14 months). Only two cases of delayed union occurred at postoperative 10 months. No infections were reported after the definitive surgery even in the cases of open fractures. All patients reached a full range of motion at postoperative 6 to 9 months and regained the normal functions of knee and ankle joints.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Using LIF in MIPO technique is a reliable approach towards the proximal and distal tibial fractures that are not suitable for intramedullary nailing.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Changhai Hospital, Second Military University, Shanghai 200433, China.
authors.forename: Da-Ke
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Tong
authors.forename: Fang
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ji
authors.forename: Xiao-Bing
authors.initials: XB
authors.lastname: Cai
mesh_terms: D001860:Bone Plates; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal; D006801:Humans; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000601:surgery