Abstracts Posters SICOT-SOF meeting Gothenburg 2010 _2_

Poster
Topic: Trauma - Tibia/Fibula
Abstract number: 26587
DISTAL TIBIAL LOCKING PLATES: DO WE FULLY APPRECIATE THE RISKS?
Sean MCKENNA, Alan JOHNSTONE
Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Aberdeen (UNITED KINGDOM)
Background: Locking plates are commonly used to treat metaphyseal fractures of the
tibia. When used to treat the majority of proximal fractures, locking plates are
effective and have a low complication rate. However, little is known about their
efficacy in the treatment of distal tibial fractures. Aims: The purpose of this study was
to assess the clinical outcome, and in particular, the complications associated with
using locking plates to treat distal tibial fractures.Patients & Methods: From a total of
44 distal tibial fractures (43 patients) treated with a locking plate at a level-one
trauma centre, the clinical and radiological details of 38 fractures were available for
retrospective review following completion of treatment. Predetermined general and
local factors, commonly recognised to give rise to poorer outcomes and
complications, were recorded along with the final outcomes.Results: According to AO
classification, there were five A, eight B and twenty-five C fractures, and five were
open. 13 (35%) patients had one or more complication: deep wound infection (5) with
one patient requiring a below knee amputation; superficial wound infection (2); nonunion
(5); prominence of metalwork requiring secondary removal (3). Despite our
attempts to identify patients at risk of complication, no trends were identified.
Conclusion: Despite the obvious clinical benefits of using locking plates to treat
fractures at other anatomical sites, the clinical outcome of distal tibial fractures
treated with locking plates is unpredictable.
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