Open tibial pilon fractures: treatment with ankle-spanning Ilizarov fixator

Authors : Ercan ŞAHİN, Mahmut KALEM

Pages : 162-167

Doi:10.18621/eurj.366170

View : 21 | Download : 12

Publication Date : 2018-07-04

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Objective. The aim of this retrospective study was to report the treatment results obtained with the ankle-spanning Ilizarov fixator technique in the treatment of complex OTA/AO type 43C3 open tibial pilon fractures. Methods. A total of 14 patients with open OTA/AO type 43C3 tibial pilon fractures were evaluated. The demographics and fracture characteristics, preoperative and postoperative radiological evaluations, duration of follow-up insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(months);, time to union insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(months); and complications were recorded. After collection of operative data, patients were invited for functional and radiological outcome evaluation. American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(AOFAS); scores and range of movement insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(ROM); of the ankle joint were investigated. Also radiologically the ankle osteoarthritis level according to the Bargon et al. criteria was noted. Results. The mean age of the patients was 48.7 years insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(range, 26-72 years);. The mean follow-up period was 32 months insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(range, 25-46 months);. The clinical and radiological time to union was mean 6.5 months insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(range, 5-11 months);. On the postoperative ankle CT images, the separation within the ankle was measured as < 2mm in all patients and in 3 patients, stepping was measured as > 2mm. Following removal of the external fixator, dorsiflexion was measured as mean 15.5° insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(range, 0°-23°); and plantar flexion as mean 26.14° insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(range, 13°-36°);. The mean AOFAS was 80.35 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(range, 56-92);. Conclusion. Satisfactory results can be obtained with the Ilizarov external fixator passing the ankle in the permanent treatment of AO-43C3 type open tibial pilon fractures. 
Keywords : pilon fracture, open fracture, Ilizarov, external fixation