The direct lateral approach to the distal tibia and fibula: a single incision technique for distal tibial and pilon fractures

John E Femino; Tanawat Vaseenon

$The direct lateral approach to the distal tibia and fibula: a single incision technique for distal tibial and pilon fractures$

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

The direct lateral approach to the distal tibia and fibula: a single incision technique for distal tibial and pilon fractures

John E Femino and Tanawat Vaseenon

The Iowa orthopaedic journal, Vol.29, pp.143-148

2009

PMCID: PMC2723711

PMID: 19742104

Appears in Diamond Open Access

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https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2723711View

Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

Distal tibia fractures remain difficult injuries to treat when fracture displacement precludes non-operative treatment. Different methods of treatment including limited internal fixation with external fixation, as well as open reduction and internal fixation have been recommended. Open reduction and internal fixation is often favored for the improved ability to anatomically reduce displaced fractures, particularly articular fractures. However, wound complications due to the associated trauma to the fragile soft tissue envelope in this region continue to be a significant concern.The authors present a surgical approach for open reduction and fixation of distal tibia and fibula fractures through a single lateral incision, which respects the angiosomes of the distal leg and ankle. This can, in some cases, resolve the need to delay ORIF of the tibia since the incision is essentially the same as that used for the immediate ORIF of fibula fractures, which is commonly used in the staged treatment of distal tibial and plafond fractures. This approach can be extended proximally and distally to allow treatment of other injuries about the ankle and hindfoot. Illustrative cases are provided.

Fibula - injuries

Fibula - surgery

Fracture Fixation, Internal - instrumentation

Fracture Fixation, Internal - methods

Fractures, Bone - surgery

Humans

Orthopedic Procedures - instrumentation

Orthopedic Procedures - methods

Tibia - injuries

Tibia - surgery

Tibial Fractures - surgery

Wound Healing

Details

Title: Subtitle: The direct lateral approach to the distal tibia and fibula: a single incision technique for distal tibial and pilon fractures
Creators: John E Femino - University of Iowa
Tanawat Vaseenon
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: The Iowa orthopaedic journal, Vol.29, pp.143-148
Publisher: Dept. of Orthopaedics, The University of Iowa; United States
PMID: 19742104
PMCID: PMC2723711
ISSN: 1541-5457
eISSN: 1555-1377
Language: English
Date published: 2009
Academic Unit: Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
Record Identifier: 9984304692602771

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