Computer-Assisted Virtual Preoperative Planning for the Treatment of Pilon Fractures: A Retrospective Propensity...

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic surgery
• Medical imaging
• Surgical planning

Background:

• Pilon fractures require precise preoperative planning for optimal surgical management.
• Conventional planning methods for pilon fractures have shown limitations in achieving satisfactory outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of computer-assisted preoperative planning in improving surgical outcomes for pilon fractures.
• To compare the results of computer-assisted planning with conventional methods in treating pilon fractures.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 504 East Asian patients with pilon fractures was analyzed (294 conventional planning, 210 computer-assisted planning).
• Propensity score matching was used to create comparable groups (204 pairs).
• Outcomes measured included Olerud-Molander Ankle Score (OMAS), lower-limb function, pain, quality of life, reduction quality, and complications.

Main Results:

• Computer-assisted planning resulted in significantly higher mean OMAS scores at 12 months (80.3 vs. 73.2).
• Improved outcomes in lower-limb function, pain, quality of life, and fracture reduction quality were observed with computer-assisted planning.
• The rate of soft-tissue complications was lower in the computer-assisted planning group (9.3% vs. 18.6%).

Conclusions:

• Computer-assisted preoperative planning offers superior functional and radiographic outcomes for pilon fracture treatment.
• This advanced planning technique leads to a reduced incidence of soft-tissue complications.
• Computer-assisted planning represents an advancement over conventional methods for managing pilon fractures.