Comparison between unilateral external fixators and locking compression plates in surgical treatment of distal tibial fractures

Objective To compare the treatment effeets of unilateral external fixators and locking compression plates(LCP)in treatment of distal tibial fractures. Methods From January 2001 to January 2007.5 1 patients with distal tibial fractures were treated surgically in our department.Twenty-four cases of them were fixed with unilateral external fixator,and 27 with LCE The clinical data of all the patients were reviewed,and the patients were followed up periodically after operation.,Their procedure of surgery,time of fracture healing,complication rate,and functional recovery rate were analyzed statistically. Results According to AO classification,there were 12 cases of type A,7 type B and 5 type C in external fixation group,and 20 cases of type A.5 type B and 2 type C in LCP fixation group.The mean clinical fracture union time for patients with external fixation Was 160(120 to 276)days,and 143(95 to 184)days for patients with LCP fixation.The complication rate for external fixator group was 12.5%.including 2 cases of deep infection and 1 case of malunion.It was 11%for LCP fixation group.including 2 cases of wound dehiscence and 1 case of deep infeetion. The functional recovery evaluation with AOFAS score system showed 79% of the cases in external fixation group and 88%in LCP fixation group obtained good to excellent results.Statistical analysis with independent samples t test showed significant difference(P＜0.05)in time of clinical fracture union,but no significant difference(P＞0.05)in complication rate and good to excellent functional recovery rate. Conclusion Unflateral external flxator and LCP are both effective methods for fixation of distal tibial fractures. Key words: External fixator;  Fracture fixation,internal; Tibia fracture; Locking compression plate