[Surgical treatment of the complex bicondylar tibial plateau fracture using a midline longitudinal incision].

Objective: To explore the outcomes after treatment of the complex bicondylar tibial plateau fracture through a midline longitudinal approach. Methods: A review of fifteen patients with an average age of (51.3±12.3) years old (range17-65yers;7 males, 8 females) surgically treated from October 2013 to Febuary 2018 were included. Sahatker Ⅴ in 10, Sahatker Ⅵ in 5; fractures of medial and lateral columns in 9, fractures of three columns in 6. All the patients were adopt a midline longitudinal approach combined with the posterior approach and bone grafting were conducted. Results: All cases were followed-up for (14.4±3.8) month, with an average of 12-24 month. All patients gained bone union during 12-16 weeks after operation, with an average of (15.2±1.3) weeks. There were significant differeces in both tibial plateau angle and posterior slope angle on radiography between preoperation and postoperation (P<0.05), there were no significant differeces in either tibial plateau angle or posterior slope angle on radiography between immediate postoperation and 12 months postoperation (P>0.05). At final follow-up,both the Lachman test and the Pivot-shift test were negative. All patients had complete knee extension, knee flexion angle 100°-135°, with an average of 117.7°±11.3°. The HSS (the Hospital for Special Surgery) score were 66-98, with an average of 85.1±9.3, six cases were excellent and seven cases were good, two cases was fair, the excellent and good rate was 86.7%. The Rasmussen radiological evaluationre were 9-18, with an average of 15.1±2.5, three cases were excellent and eleven cases were good, one cases was fair, the excellent and good rate was 93.3%. 1 patient had fat liquefactionof in antero incision, and got good outcomes after debridement dressing. Conclusion: The treatment of the complex bicondylar tibial plateau fracture through a midline longitudinal approach combined with the posterior approach can result in good exposure and satisfying knee function in short-term.