Evaluation of Hybrid External Fixator for Tibial Plateau Fractures: A Prospective Study

Background: Tibial plateau fracture is one of the common injuries encountered in our daily clinical practice. The goals of management of these peri-articular fractures are restoration of joint congruity by anatomic reduction of the articular fragments, stable fixation of fragments, early joint movements, care of injured soft tissues and prevention of fracture related, surrounding soft tissue and wound related complications. Though open reduction and internal fixation is preferred in the current day practice for such fractures, they are associated with a variety of complications leading to poor outcome. Ligamentotaxis and percutaneous fixation has been advocated by many authors to improve the results and to minimize the risk of serious complications. The aim of the present study is to evaluate and assess the results of closed reduction and hybrid external fixator application in the management of tibial plateau fractures. Materials and methods: Study included 28 patients with Schatzker type II and above closed tibial plateau fractures treated by Hybrid external fixator by the same team of surgeons on a tertiary care center following relevant investigations and assessment. Patients were followed up at regular intervals and finally evaluated clinically and radiologically at the end of one year. Conclusion: Our study highlighted the success of indirect reduction and hybrid external fixation application as the definitive method for the management of tibial plateau fractures. It minimizes the risk of soft tissue damage and reduces the incidence of serious complications with good fracture union and functional outcome in patients. Keywords: Hybrid external fixator, Tibial plateau fracture, Schatzker