[Treatment of Fractures of the Distal Third of Tibia Diaphysis by MIPO Technique]

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY MIPO (Minimally Invasive Plate Osteosynthesis) technique is currently a commonly used method to treat fractures of the distal third of tibia diaphysis. At the same time, it is just like other methods accompanied by a relatively high complication rate. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the use of this technique at our department is effective and whether the complication rate does not differ considerably from values reported by literature. MATERIAL AND METHODS In the period 2014-2016, minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis was performed in a total of 42 patients, who had suffered a fracture of the distal third of tibia diaphysis. They sustained a low-energy trauma. The mean age of patients was 50 years (range 27-86 years) and the mean follow-up period was 11.8 months (range 1.5-38 months). All the patients were treated with a minimally invasive technique with the use of subcutaneous LCP. In 41 patients (98%) it was inserted via anteromedial approach. In one patient only (2%), the LCP was inserted via anterolateral approach due to the unfavourable local finding on the medial side of the distal lower limb. RESULTS Of the total number of operated patients, 35 patients (83%) underwent surgery within 24 hours of injury, including two patients in whom an external fixator was used. The mean operative time was 61 minutes (range of 30-150 minutes). The primary healing occurred in 93% of patients with radiological signs of healing within 5.6 months on average (range of 1.5-16 months). Time to full weight bearing was 4.2 months on average (range of 1.5-16 months). Delayed healing was observed in four patients. In three patients, a non-union developed, necessitating revision surgery. Infectious complications were reported in seven patients, in three of whom deep wound infection developed. In one case, the chronic infection resulted in a lower limb amputation. In five patients mal-union occurred. DISCUSSION The outcomes achieved by the authors in treating fractures of the distal third of tibia diaphysis with a minimally invasive technique do not considerably differ from the outcomes reported by other authors in literature. In terms of the outcomes and the complication rate, the MIPO method is comparable to the treatment of these fractures with the use of nails. Limiting for fracture healing is the vascular supply. Therefore, in treating these injuries it is necessary to proceed with minimum invasiveness and carefulness and to seek to limit any additional trauma to soft tissues, thus also to vascular supply. In case of syndesmosis failure, the concurrent treatment of distal fibula fractures is clearly indicated. In case of intact syndesmosis, fibular osteosynthesis and the sequence of procedures are to be decided by the surgeon. At present, rigid osteosynthesis is being abandoned for potential slower healing up to development of non-unions. CONCLUSIONS The treatment of fractures of the distal third of tibia diaphysis remains an unsolved issue despite the development of stateof-the art materials, implants and surgical techniques. The MIPO technique can be considered an effective method of treatment of these types of fractures, achieving a high success rate of healing and acceptable rate of complications. Key words: minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO), distal third of tibia diaphysis, locking compression plate (LCP).