title: Less invasive stabilization system for the management of proximal tibia fractures.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Proximal tibia fractures are difficult to treat especially when soft tissues are compromised by conventional open reduction and internal fixation with high complication rates. Many methods have been tried to manage these fractures. Less invasive stabilization system (LISS) is the latest technology applied for these injuries. This report presents clinical results of the LISS for the treatment of complex proximal tibia fractures.
  
  
  METHODS
  From June 2007 to May 2010, total of 35 cases of the proximal tibia fractures (19 AO type 41A, 11 type 41B and five AO type 41C) were treated with the LISS technique. Clinical and radiological evaluation was done at 6, 10, 14, 20, 24 weeks and 9, 12, 18 and 24 months, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age of the patients was 50.17 years (range 20-73 years); male patients were 21 and female 14. The mean follow-up time was 31.42 months (range 21-42 months). The patients were evaluated using Knee Society scores, and the mean score was 92.11 (range 84-100); the mean full weight bearing time was 15.8 weeks (range 12-22), and union time was 25.17 weeks (range 20-29). Superficial infections and slight mal-alignment were seen on five patients each.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The less invasive stabilization internal fixator system can be used successfully to treat complex proximal tibia fractures with minimal complications. It can be an alternative method for the treatment of the proximal tibia fractures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery, Kaski Sewa Hospital, Pokhara, Nepal, pramodcd@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Pramod
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Devkota
authors.forename: Hemanta K
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Manandhar
authors.forename: Padam B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Khadka
authors.forename: Laxmi P
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Mainali
authors.forename: Javed A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: Balakrishnan M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Acharya
authors.forename: Nabeesman S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Pradhan
authors.forename: Suman K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Shrestha
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D017102:Fracture Healing; D006801:Humans; D016268:Internal Fixators / Q000009:adverse effects; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000503:physiopathology; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D061646:Operative Time; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors; D016474:Weight-Bearing; D055815:Young Adult