Minimal Invasive Dorsal Plate Osteosynthesis of the Tibia--Are Nerves and Vessels at Risk? An Anatomical Study

Purpose of this anatomic study was to develop a new and safe technique of minimal invasive dorsal plate osteosynthesis for tibia shaft fractures.

Sixteen paired adult lower limbs of eight different cadaveric specimens were examined. Anatomical prebending for each plate was done. Plates were inserted percutaneously, following plate fixation the neurovascular bundle was dissected out. The distance between the neurovascular bundle (posterior tibial nerve, posterior tibial artery) and the plate was measured at two different positions. The distance to the origin of the flexor digitorum longus muscle and the arch of the soleus muscle was measured.

The mean distance between the neurovascular bundle and the plate amounted 1.4 cm (±0,2 cm; 1.0-1.7 cm) at hole number six and 1.1 cm (±0.4 cm; 0.6-2.0 cm) at hole number ten. The nerve was never directly in contact with the plate. The flexor digitorum longus muscle had its origin along the plate and was between the plate and the neurovascular bundle in all cases.

Dorsal percutaneous plate insertion is a safe and easy method for osteosyntesis of tiba shaft fractures. Especially in case of poor skin and soft tissue conditions this technique offers a good alternative.