title: LCP Versus LISS in the Treatment of Open and Closed Distal Femur Fractures: Does it Make a Difference?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We compared the postoperative complication rates between the less invasive stabilization system (LISS) plating and locking compression plate for open and closed distal femoral fracture fixation for superiority.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective Review.
  
  
  METHODS
  Multicenter.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients identified through a hospital database who were treated for supracondylar femur fractures using LISS or LCP techniques between January 2005 and July 2010.
  
  
  METHODS
  Medical history, patient demographics, injury characteristics, presence of polytrauma, and surgical characteristics were collected for each patient.
  
  
  METHODS
  χ and logistic regression analysis was performed to compare postoperative infection and nonunion/reoperation regarding both plating techniques.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 339 distal femoral fractures, 185 (54.6%) were repaired with a LISS plate and 154 (45.4%) were repaired with a LCP. Multivariate analysis revealed only open fractures to be a risk factor for nonunion (Odds ratio 2.42, P = 0.01) and infection (Odds ratio 3.47, P = 0.02), regardless of device used. No difference was seen between either plate type in infection, plate failure, or nonunion.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Postoperative infection and nonunion rates are comparable between LISS and LCP for both open and closed distal femoral fracture fixation. As no difference was detected between plates, either may be used to treat distal femur fractures. Nonunion rate was higher than expected based on previous reports.
  
  
  METHODS
  Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
mesh_terms: D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D001860:Bone Plates; D015331:Cohort Studies; D016208:Databases, Factual; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005264:Femoral Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D017102:Fracture Healing / Q000502:physiology*; D005597:Fractures, Open / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D009984:Orthopedic Fixation Devices; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D017678:Sex Distribution