[Triplane fractures of the tibia. Apropos of 25 cases and general review]

The authors report their experience with a series of 25 distal tibial triplane fractures: 13 two-fragment lateral triplane fractures, 10 three-fragment lateral triplane fractures and 2 medial triplane fractures. These cases were mostly adolescents near the end of the growth spurt period. Tomography or CT scanning allowed a better delineation of the anatomic type of the fracture and of the displacements. Treatment modalities, surgical versus conservative are presented. Therapeutic indications depended on the anatomic configuration of the fracture; closed methods were most often applied to the two-fragment lateral triplane fractures, surgical treatment for most of the three-fragment lateral triplane fractures and for the medial triplane fractures. Results were usually good after an intermediate term follow-up. Joint incongruity secondary to insufficient reduction was a more severe sequela than growth disturbances.