title: [Locking plate external fixator for the treatment of middle and distal tibial fractures].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effectiveness of locking plate external fixator in treating middle and distal tibial fractures.
  
  
  METHODS
  From January 2010 to January 2013,18 patients suffered from middle and distal tibial fractures were treated by locking plate external fixator,including 11 males and 7 females, with an average age of 53.5 (ranged from 13 to 80) years old,the course of disease ranged from 2 h to 3 d. According to AO classification, 4 cases were type A,11 cases were type B and 3 were type C. Among them,6 patients were open fracture, including 2 cases with type I, 3 cases with type II and 1 case with type III, according to Gustilo classification), 12 patients were close fracture. Operation time, postoperative complications were observed, and Johner-Wruhs scoring were used to evaluate clinical outcomes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All patients were followed up from 6 to 15 (meaned 11) months. Two cases occurred skin necrosis (1 case occurred bone exposure), 2 cases occurred delayed union (all were open fracture), and 1 case occurred nail infection. No screw loosening or broken occurred. According to Johner-Wruhs scoring, 10 cases obtained excellent result,6 cases good,and 2 cases fine.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Locking plate external fixator for the treatment of middle and distal tibial fractures, which has advantages of lessen damage, shorter operative time, less complications and rapid functional recovery, is one of good choice.
authors.forename: Zheng-Feng
authors.initials: ZF
authors.lastname: Mei
authors.forename: Shun-Wu
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Fan
authors.forename: Feng-Dong
authors.initials: FD
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Chong-Yan
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Jun-Hui
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Zhi
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Shan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001860:Bone Plates / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016267:External Fixators / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult