title: Minimally invasive treatment of tibial pilon fractures through arthroscopy and external fixator-assisted reduction.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcome of tibial pilon fractures treated with arthroscopy and assisted reduction with an external fixator.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirteen patients with tibial pilon fractures underwent assisted reduction for limited lower internal fixation with an external fixator under arthroscopic guidance. The weight-bearing time was decided on the basis of repeat radiography of the tibia 3 months after surgery. Postoperative ankle function was evaluated according to the Mazur scoring system.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Healing of fractures was achieved in all cases, with no complications such as severe infection, skin necrosis, or an exposed plate. There were 9 excellent, 2 good, and 2 poor outcomes, scored according to the Mazur system. The acceptance rate was 85%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Arthroscopy and external fixator-assisted reduction for the minimally invasive treatment of tibial pilon fractures not only produced less trauma but also protected the soft tissues and blood supply surrounding the fractures. External fixation could indirectly provide reduction and effective operative space for arthroscopic implantation, especially for AO type B fractures and partial AO type C1 fractures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071 China ; Department of Orthopedics, Jingzhou First People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Yangtze University, Jingzhou, 434000 China.
authors.forename: Huasong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071 China.
authors.forename: Liaobin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Jingzhou First People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Yangtze University, Jingzhou, 434000 China.
authors.forename: Kebin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Jingzhou First People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Yangtze University, Jingzhou, 434000 China.
authors.forename: Songming
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Peng
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Jingzhou First People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Yangtze University, Jingzhou, 434000 China.
authors.forename: Jien
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Jingzhou First People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Yangtze University, Jingzhou, 434000 China.
authors.forename: Yang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yi
keywords: Arthroscopy; External fixator; Minimally invasive surgery; Tibial pilon fracture