[Treatment of pilon fractures of type II and III with operation]

To review and conclude the experience and to prevent a variety of complications of operative treatment for tibial Pilon fractures of type II and III.

From March 2006 to October 2011, consecutive 29 patients were treated in our center. According to Ruedi-Allgower classification, there were 19 patients of type II and 10 patients of type III. There were 23 males and 6 females,ranging in age from 21 to 61 years old. The average age was 35 years old. All the patients were treated by open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF). Cloverleaf plate was applied in 8 cases,anatomical plate in 10 cases, and anatomical locking plate in 11 cases. Results of treatment and complications were thoroughly documented and analyzed.

All the patients were followed up, and the duration ranged from 12 to 42 months, averaging 15 months. Referring to Mazur criterion, 12 patients gained excellent result, 5 good and 2 fair in type II fractures; and 4 excellent, 4 good, 1 fair and 1 poor in type III fractures. All factures healed during 12 to 32 weeks, and the average time was 15 weeks.

Good therapeutic effects can be obtained by grasping the timing of surgery and indications strictly, standardising the operative manipulation and gripping the tip of operation.