Minimally Invasive Medial Plate Osteosynthesis of High-Energy Pediatric Tibia Fractures

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic surgery
• Pediatric trauma care

Background:

• High-energy tibia fractures in skeletally immature patients present unique challenges.
• Minimally invasive surgical techniques are increasingly favored for pediatric orthopedic injuries.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the outcomes of minimally invasive medial plate osteosynthesis in pediatric high-energy tibia fractures.
• To assess complication rates and factors influencing implant removal in this patient group.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 28 fractures in 26 skeletally immature patients treated between 2006 and 2017.
• Analysis of patient, injury, and treatment factors, including complications and reoperations.
• Statistical analysis (chi-squared and t-tests) to explore relationships between age, implant selection, and removal.

Main Results:

• Mean patient age was 12 years; 10 fractures were open.
• Mean follow-up was 37.6 months with mean union time of 3 months.
• Low complication rates observed, including 2 superficial infections and one leg length discrepancy; no neurovascular injuries or rotational deformities.

Conclusions:

• Minimally invasive medial plate osteosynthesis is a safe and effective treatment for high-energy pediatric tibia fractures.
• This approach is recommended for select pediatric patients with complex fractures and significant soft-tissue injury.