COMBINED ANTERIOR AND POSTERIOR APPROACHES FOR COMPLEX TIBIAL PLATEAU FRACTURES

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1 COMBINED ANTERIOR AND POSTERIOR APPROACHES FOR COMPLEX TIBIAL PLATEAU FRACTURES GREGORY M. GEORGIADIS From Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA We report the use of combined anterior and posterior approaches for the reduction and fixation of complex tibial plateau fractures involving a large split posteromedial fragment. In four patients, we used a posterior plate to fix the posteromedial fragment. All fractures united in good position with no significant complications, and all patients had a good range of knee movement. This technique should be considered for complex fractures in which there is a substantial posteromedial fragment (split) component. J BoneJoint Surg [Br] 1994; 76-B: Received 14 May 1993; Accepted 15 Ju/y 1993 Fractures which involve the articular cartilage ofthe proximal tibia often require open reduction and internal fixation to restore the joint surfaces and the alignment of the limb. A single anterior incision is commonly used (Moore 1981; Fernandez 1988; Schatzker 1988; MUller et al 1991), but in some cases it is difficultto gain adequate exposure, especially for the fixation of posterior fragments. A second posterior incision may be necessary (Schatzker 1988). PATIENTS AND METhODS From 1990 to 1992, we treated four patients with severe closed bicondylar tibial plateau fractures, using combined anterior and posterior skin incisions. All the patients were men, with an average age of 32 years (Table I). No patient had any neurovascular damage. Preoperative evaluation included plain radiography and anteroposterior and lateral tomography. In all four cases there was considerable intra-articular comminution and a large posteromedial fragment (Hohi 1967; Bowes and Hohl 1982; Hohl and Moore 1990). The posteromedial split fracture was best seen on lateral tomograms of the medial plateau (Fig. 1) and was sometimes barely visible on routine anteroposterior views (see Fig. 4a). Many of these fractures were very unstable and could be G. M. Georgiadis, MD, Assistant Professor Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Wayne State University, 7C University Health Center, 4201 St Antoine, Detroit, Michigan 48201, USA British Editorial Society of Bone and Joint Surgery X/94/2716 $2.00 regarded as fracture-dislocations (Fig. 2; Duparc and Filipe 1975; Moore 1981). On the basis of preoperative radiographs a two-incision approach was planned in each case. Operative technique. After induction of general anaesthesia and antibiotic prophylaxis with 1 g of intravenous cefazolin, the stability of the knee is assessed. The patient is then placed supine on the operating table, with the opposite hip elevated by a pad. The fractured leg and the contralateral anterior iliac crest are prepared and draped. A tourniquet is not used. The involved leg is then internally rotated at the hip so that the patella faces upwards. The anterior incision is longitudinal, in the midline or anterolaterally, and is extended to allow a medial or lateral arthrotomy as indicated by the fracture pattern. If a medial arthrotomy is necessary, it can be performed by a subvastus approach (Hofmann, Plaster and Murdock 1991). The major intra-articular portion of the fracture is thus exposed. Gentle external rotation of the involved leg on the tilted pelvis then allows easy access to the posteromedial aspect of the knee. A longitudinal posteromedial incision is made over the medial head of gastrocnemius, leaving a wide skin bridge between it and the anterior incision (Fig. 3). The deep dissection is that described for access to the posterior cruciate by Burks and Schaffer (1990). After opening the deep fascia, the interval between the medial head of gastrocnemius and semitendinosis is identified, and the medial head of gastrocnemius is retracted laterally, helping to protect the neurovascular structures. The posterior aspect of the proximal tibia is then palpated and exposed. If necessary, the medial aspect of popliteus is freed from the bone and retracted laterally. Even better access can be gained by section of the medial head of the gastrocnemius (Burks and Schaffer 1990) but we did not find this necessary. The posteromedial fragment is then exposed and reduced. To aid reduction, a femoral distractor is sometimes placed across the knee from the distal femur to the proximal tibia (Schatzker 1988), using local stab incisions (see Fig. 3). The posterior plate is placed to buttress the fragment, and lag screw fixation through the plate can also be used. The reduction of the medial joint surface is achieved indirectly, but can be inspected through the anterior incision when a medial arthrotomy has been performed. A contoured 4.5 mm half-tubular plate or a T-buttress plate is used for fixation (Synthes, Paoli, PA) and bone graft from the iliac crest is applied as needed. The wounds are closed over suction drains. VOL. 76-B, No. 2, MARCH

2 286 G. M. GEORGIADIS Lateral tomograms of two patients, both showing large displaced posteromedial fragments split from the medial tibial plateau. Fig. la Fig. lb Table I. Details of four patients with complex tibial plateau fractures treated by combined anterior and posterior approaches Operation Case Sex Age (yr) Fracture type (AO) Cause Anterior approach Duration (hr) Blood loss (ml) Bone graft Follow-up (mth) Knee range (degrees) 1 M 31 R, C3.l* Athletics injury 2 M 31 L, C1.2t Motor vehicle accident 3 M 32 R, B3.3 Fall from ladder 4 M 34 L, C3.2 Fall from ladder * also had a fractured radius lateral parapatellar medial subvastus Anterolateral, lateral parapatellar medial subvastus Yes 23 0 to No 21 5 to No 20 0 to Yes 6 5 to 120 t also had left-sided femoral and open tibial fractures with a compartment syndrome and forearm fractures Postoperatively, we use a continuous passive motion machine, Set from full extension to 30#{176} of knee flexion. The arc of motion is increased approximately 10#{176} daily. drains are removed after 24 to 48 hours, and intravenous antibiotics are discontinued. Most patients without significant associated injuries (three out of four in this series) are discharged from hospital less than a week after surgery, and then attend for outpatient physiotherapy with emphasis on regaining active knee motion and quadriceps strength. Nonweight-bearing on crutches continues for a total of three months. RESULTS All four knees were grossly unstable under general anaesthesia. Satisfactory reduction of the fracture was possible in all cases (Figs 2 and 4), and all knees became clinically stable. There was no loss of fixation and no problems with The wound healing. The average time in the operating room, including set-up and anaesthesia was 5.2 hours, and the average blood loss was 775 ml. No patient required blood transfusion as a result of the procedure. All four fractures healed uneventfully and all patients regained normal leg alignment. At review, extensor lag ranged from 0#{176} to 5#{176}, and knee flexion ranged from 120#{176} to 145#{176} (Table I). There were no serious complications. Two patients had transient paraesthesia of the saphenous nerve; both resolved completely. In one patient a proximal cancellous screw backed out and became prominent, requiring removal under local anaesthesia one year later. DISCUSSION The fractures we report are difficult to classify. We have used the AO classification (Muller et al 1990), although all the patients had an additional large posteromedial fragment ThE JOURNAL OF BONE AND JOINT SURGERY

3 COMBINED ANTERIOR AND POSTERIOR APPROACHES FOR COMPLEX TIBIAL PLATEAU FRACTURES 287 Fig. 2a Fig. 2b Case 3 - Preoperative anteroposterior (a) and lateral (b) views of a fracture-dislocation of the knee, showing a large posteromedial fragment. Postoperative anteroposterior (c) and lateral (d) views at 20 months show the position of the posterior plate. Fig. 3a Fig. 3b Healed anterior midline and posteromedial knee incisions viewed from the front and the medial side. The very large skin bridge between the incisions is shown, as are the sites of the stab incisions used for the application of a femoral distractor. VOL. 76-B, No. 2, MARCH 1994

4 288 G. M. GEORGIADIS Case 1 - Preoperative anteroposterior (a) and lateral (b) views of a complex tibial plateau fracture in a 140 kg man. The large posteromedial fragment is not visible on the anteroposterior view, but is clearly seen on a lateral tomogram (c). Fig. 4a Fig. 4b Postoperative radiographs show the position of the lateral and posterior plates. Fig. 4d Fig. 4e Radiographs at 23 months show sound union in good position. Fig. 4f Fig. 4g ThE JOURNAL OF BONE AND JOINT SURGERY

5 COMBINED ANTERIOR AND POSTERIOR APPROACHES FOR COMPLEX TIBIAL PLATEAU FRACTURES 289 that contributed to instability. These injuries are uncommon (Hohl 1967; Bowes and Hohl 1982; Hohl and Moore 1990), and their treatment is difficult. Small stable split fractures can be held by casting in extension (Hohl and Moore 1990), but in our patients surgery was indicated for instability and joint incongruity. The classical approach is through a single anterior incision (Fernandez 1988; MUller et al 1991) through which an undisplaced posteromedial fragment can be stabilised by screws placed from front to back. A medial plate is sometimes applied (Schatzker, McBroom and Bruce 1979), but this is not without risk and it is difficult to achieve adequate exposure, reduction, and stabilisation of such fragments through an anterior incision. This may require acute knee flexion, and a large skin flap with extensive medial dissection and periosteal stripping. Moore, Patzakis and Harvey (1987) reported that nine of 1 1 patients treated by medial and lateral plating through an anterior incision became infected or had wound problems. Mast, Jakob and Ganz (1989) have described the substitution of a medial plate by temporary external fixation. The use of a second, posterior, incision has been reported by Schatzker (1988) and combined incisions for complex plateau fractures have been described in the French literature (Samuel, Leroux and Blanchard 1966; Duparc and Filipe 1975; Chaix et al 1982), but these are commonly termed small counter-incisions, and few surgical details are given. Moore (1981) reviewing 132 fracture-dislocations, reported that a posterior incision was never necessary. Other large reviews of plateau fractures make no mention of a second incision (Schatzker et al 1979; Moore et al 1987). The advantages of a second posteromedial incision include the provision of access to directly reduce and buttress the fracture in a very stable manner. It also removes the need to raise large skin flaps, which is important when the soft tissues have already been injured. After operation, a medial plate is often prominent and palpable under thin soft tissues. By contrast, a posterior plate is covered by a large muscular envelope and is not palpable. Open reduction and internal fixation of tibial plateau fractures always require careful preoperative planning. For fracture patterns which include a large posteromedial split fragment, consideration should be given to posterior plating through a second incision. No benefits in any form have been received or will be received from a commercial party related directly or indirectly to the subject of this article. REFERENCES Bowes DN, HohI M. Tibial condylar fractures: evaluation of treatment and outcome. C/in Orthop 1982; 171: Burks RT, Schaffer JJ. A simplified approach to the tibial attachment of the posterior cruciate ligament. C/in Orthop 1990; 254: Chaix 0, Herman S, Cohen P, LeBalc h T, Lamare JP. Ost#{233}osynth#{232}se par plaque #{233}piphysaire dans les fractures des plateaux tibiaux. A propos de cas. Rev Chir Orthop 1982; 68: Duparc J, Filipe G. Fractures spino-tuberositaires ou fractures avec subluxation de l extremit#{233} superieure du tibia. Rev Chir Orthop 1975; 61: Fernandez DL. Anterior approach to the knee with osteotomy of the tibial tubercle for bicondylar tibial fractures. J Bonefoint Surg [Am] 1988; 70-A: Hofmann AA, Plaster RL, Murdock LE. Subvastus (Southern) approach for primary total knee arthroplasty. C/in Orthop 1991; 269:70-7. HohI M. Tibial condylar fractures. J Bone Joint Surg [Am] 1967; 49- A: HohI M, Moore TM. Articular fractures of the proximal tibia. In: Evarts CM, ed. Surgery of the muscu/oske/eta/ system. Vol. 4. 2nd edition. New York: Churchill Livingstone, 1990: Mast JW, Jakob R, Ganz it P/anning and reduction technique in fracture surgery. Berlin, etc: Springer-Verlag, Moore TM. Fracture-dislocation of the knee. C/in Orthop 1981; 156: Moore TM, Patzakis Mi, Harvey if. Tibial plateau fractures: definition, demographics, treatment rationale, and long-term results of closed traction management or operative reduction. J Orthop Trauma 1987; 2: Muller ME, Nazarian 5, Koch P, Schatzker J. The comprehensive classification offractures of/ong bones. Berlin, etc: Springer-Verlag, Muller ME, Allgower M, Schneider R, Willenegger H. Manual of interna/fixation. 3rd ed. Berlin, dc: Springer-Verlag, 1991:1-2. Samuel P, Leroux D, Blanchard JP. Voies d abord du genou. EncyciM#{233}d Chir. Paris: Techniques chirurgicales, Orthop#{233}die-Traumatologie, 1966, 44720:1-16. Schatzker J. Fractures of the tibial plateau. In: Chapman MW, ed. Operative orthopaedics. Vol. 1. Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott, 1988: Schatzker J, McBroom R, Bruce D. The tibial plateau fracture: the Toronto experience C/in Orthop 1979; 138: VOL. 76-B. No. 2. MARCH 1994