title: An extended anterolateral approach for posterolateral tibial plateau fractures.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The best approach for treating posterolateral tibial plateau fractures remains controversial. The clinical results of an extended anterolateral approach on such fractures are discussed in this study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between 2010 and 2011, ten patients with posterolateral tibial plateau fracture were treated using an extended anterolateral approach with a proximal tibial locking compression plate. The epidemiological data, operation details, and clinical outcomes over 26.4 ± 2.3 months (range 24-30 months) of follow-up were prospectively collected and analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average surgical duration was 91.5 ± 18.7 min (range 80-130 min). An anatomic reduction rate of 90 % (9/10) was observed although one patient with a lateral comminuted fracture and dislocation presented a 2-mm joint surface depression postoperatively. The average fracture healing time was 10.6 ± 1.8 weeks (range 8-14 weeks), with an average hospital for special surgery knee score of 95.3 ± 6.5 points (range 80-100 points), an average knee flexion of 119.8° ± 17.2° (range 95°-140°) and an average knee extension of 2.1° ± 2.1° (range 0°-6°). No complications were found.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The extended anterolateral approach with a proximal tibial compression plate offers direct and complete surgical exposure and may provide an effective method for the surgical treatment of posterolateral tibial plateau fractures.
  
  
  METHODS
  Therapeutic, Level IV.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Yiwu Central Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Yiwu, 322000, China.
authors.forename: Hong-Wei
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, General Hospital of Lanzhou Military Command, Lanzhou, 730000, China.
authors.forename: Sheng-Hu
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.affiliation: 8th Department, Institute of Surgery Research, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400042, China. frankliugd@163.com.
authors.forename: Guo-dong
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Second Hospital of Medical College of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, China.
authors.forename: Xiang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Second Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China.
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pan
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, General Hospital of Chengdu Military Command, Chengdu, 600041, China.
authors.forename: Shan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ou
authors.affiliation: Traumatic Center, Institute of Surgery Research, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400042, China.
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fei
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001860:Bone Plates; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013977:Tibia / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000601:surgery*
keywords: Approach; Internal fixation; Tibial plateau fracture; Tibial proximal locking plate