title: Open reduction and internal fixation of posterolateral tibial plateau fractures through fibula osteotomy-free posterolateral approach.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the outcome of patients with posterolateral tibial plateau fractures after open reduction and internal fixation with a fibula osteotomy-free posterolateral approach.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective chart and operation note review.
  
  
  METHODS
  A medical college-affiliated tertiary hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective chart and radiographic review of posterolateral tibial plateau fractures treated with a posterolateral approach between January 2006 and July 2010 was performed. The primary (ie, the total Rasmussen function score) and secondary (ie, the postoperative infection, knee deformity, and complications) outcomes were analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 32 patients were identified for this study. Patients were followed for an average of 18.2 months (range, 12-36 months); the total Rasmussen function score was 24.8 ± 2.9 points. The results were rated as excellent (≥27 points) in 19 patients, good (20-26 points) in 11, and fair (10-19 points) in 2 patients. No wound infections, screw loosening or implant fracture, and nonunion, deformity, or fracture redisplacement were seen. Stretch injury of the common peroneal nerve was found in 1 patient, who obtained recovery 2 months after additional conservative management.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Adequate open reduction and internal fixation with a fibula osteotomy-free posterolateral approach can attain a satisfactory clinical outcome for patients with posterolateral tibial plateau fractures.
  
  
  METHODS
  Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
authors.affiliation: *Department of Orthopedics, Wenzhou Medical College-Affiliated Yiwu Central Hospital, Yiwu, China; †Department 8, Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China; ‡Department of Anesthesiology, General Hospital of Chengdu Military Command, Chengdu, People's Republic of China; §Department of Orthopedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical College, Wenzhou, China; and ‖Institute of Digital Medicine, Wenzhou Medical College, Wenzhou, China.
authors.forename: Hong-Wei
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Guo-Dong
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Shan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ou
authors.forename: Gang-Sheng
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pan
authors.forename: Li-Jun
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Wu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005360:Fibula / Q000601:surgery; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010027:Osteotomy; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome