[Plate fixation in fractures of the tibial plateau (author's transl)]

The authors have reviewed 100 cases of fracture of the upper end of the tibia with separation of a tibial plateau with some degree of depression. These cases were treated operatively with reduction of the depression and the use of an iliac bone graft to fill the bone defect and fixation with an epiphyseal plate. The results were satisfactory in 86 cases. The conclusions were that surgery should be avoided in patients with poor general condition or with poor local vitality of the limb. In these cases the possibility of delayed operation should be considered or minimum fixation obtained with an external fixator or conservative treatment using traction.