[Minimally invasive percutaneous locking compression plate internal fixation in the treatment of tibial fractures]

To summarize the clinical application of minimally invasive percutaneous locking compression plate (LCP) internal fixation in the treatment of tibial fractures and to evaluate its clinical effects.

From September 2005 to September 2007, 13 patients with tibial fractures were treated with indirect reduction and minimally invasive percutaneous LCP internal fixation, 8 males and 5 females, aged 18-35 years old (27 on average). Among them, the fractures were caused by traffic accidents in 3 cases, by falling in 5 cases, by falling from height in 4 cases and by bruise in 1 case. The fractures were located at 1/3 upper tibia in 2 cases, at 1/3 medium tibia in 6 cases and at 1/3 lower tibia in 5 cases. All fracture were closed ones. According to the AO classification, 4 cases were type A, 7 type B and 2 type C. The time between fractures and operation was from 3 hours to 5 days (2.5 days on average).

All incisions obtained healing by first intention. All patients were followed up for 10-18 months (13 months on average). All fractures reached clinical healing, and the healing time was 12-20 weeks (16 weeks on average). There was no delayed fracture healing, nonunion, infection and internal fixation failure. No complications such as rotation, crispatura deformity and internal fixation loosening were found. According to the HSS scoring, the function of the knee joint was graded 85-95 (90 on average), and the range of motion was 100-130 degrees (120 degrees on average). According to the AOFAS Ankle Hindfoot Scoring, the function of the ankle joint was graded 80-95 (92.4 on average). Nine cases were excellent, 4 good, and the choiceness rate was 100%.

Minimally invasive percutaneous LCP internal fixation is in accord with biological set principles and beneficial for tibial fracture healing and reconstruction of soft tissues.