Minimally Invasive Surgical Approach Using an Equal-Sized Plate as an External Guide to Lateral Malleolar Fractures

For minimally invasive percutaneous plate osteosynthesis (MIPPO) techniques applied to fractures of the lateral malleolus, there is no external guide for inserting the plate, determining the incision, and inserting the screws as used for fractures in other regions. With MIPPO, fluoroscopy exposure is unavoidable. The MIPPO technique is advantageous for patients; however, the unavoidable problem with this method for the surgical team is repeated exposure to fluoroscopy. To expose the surgical team to least radiation, we used a novel technique with an equal-sized plate as an external guide. We present the results of patients treated with this technique.

Patients with isolated lateral malleolar fracture who underwent MIPPO using an equal-sized anatomical lateral malleolar plate as an external guide were retrospectively investigated. VAS scores on postoperative day 1 and AOFAS scores at final evaluation were noted.

Twenty-six patients were included in the study. Mean ± SD follow-up was 42.46 ± 14.11 months. Mean ± SD VAS score on postoperative day 1 was 3.76 ± 2.58. On final evaluation, prominent implant was identified in two patients, with mean ± SD AOFAS score of 98.00 ± 2.17. No other complications were observed.

Using an equal-sized plate as external guide may ensure less use of fluoroscopy while determining the incisions. Until an external guide is produced commercially for minimally invasive fixation of lateral malleolar fractures, this method ensures determination of incisions and insertion of screws without requiring the use of fluoroscopy and may be reliably used for minimally invasive surgery.