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. 2005 Mar 9;29(3):182–185. doi: 10.1007/s00264-005-0638-6

Complex tibial plateau fractures treated with Ilizarov external fixator with or without minimal internal fixation

H El Barbary 1, H Abdel Ghani 1,2,, H Misbah 1, K Salem 1
PMCID: PMC3456886  PMID: 15756605

Abstract

We treated 30 tibial plateau fractures (Schatzker Type VI) in 29 patients, with a mean age of 41.4 (20–76) years, with the Ilizarov fixator. In 18 fractures, we combined the treatment with minimal internal fixation. All fractures were the result of high-energy trauma, and 20 patients had associated injuries. Twenty-eight fractures were available for follow-up after 27 (16–36) months. Using The Knee Society clinical rating system, 18 knees were rated as excellent, seven as good, one as fair, and two as poor. There was a direct correlation between the presence of associated injuries and the final outcome. The most significant concomitant injuries were distal femoral fractures and extensive soft-tissue injury. This study emphasizes the clinical success and low morbidity associated with the use of external fixation and minimal internal fixation.

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