Surgical Technique of Anterolateral Approach for Tibial Plateau Fracture

A 66-year-old woman had sustained crush injury 3 hours prior to her presentation to our hospital. The diagnosis was defined as lateral tibial plateau fracture of the right knee (Schatzker III). Supine position was set up and a pad was put under the affected hip. After sterilization of the surgical field the sterilized sheets were placed beneath the leg in order to be higher than the other side. A rolled sheet was put under the knee joint so that the knee joint was flexed around 30° to 40°. After the surgical field was draped the skin was incised. Iliotibial band was incised by blade (not by electrotomy) and sharp dissection was performed in the Gerdy's tubercle. Capsulotomy was made by cutting the tibial meniscal ligament. Then the meniscus was tagged superiorly and the articular surface was clearly visualized. A window was made in the lateral cortex beneath the plateau, so the impacted fragment was elevated through the window. The metaphyseal void was filled by bone allograft. The placement of the raft-screw plate must be ensured that the raft screws passing the plate could purchase the subchondral bone. After perfect placement of the plate was defined, the femoral distractor was removed and the knee joint was relaxed. It was ensured that the alignment of the lower leg was normal, and then the other screws were inserted. Following placing drainage in the wound the iliotibial band was closed and the subcutaneous soft tissue and skin were closed in layer.