Emergent hybrid external fixation for tibial pilon fractures in adults

Objective To investigate that if the hybrid external fixation is the definitive treatment and management of tibial extra articular and intra-articular pilon fractures of the adult in emergency. Methods We treated 237 cases of pilon fractures using hybrid external fixation with or without minimal osteosynthesis from February 1999 to December 2014. All fractures were classified according to the Association for the Study of Internal Fixation. The three groups were represented by 108 patients (45.5%) for the Type A; 75 patients (31.8%) for Type B and 54 patients (22.7%) for Type C. Road accidents [118 patients (50.0%)] were the most common cause of tibial pilon fractures. Results According to a mean follow-up of 7.3 years we had bone healing after 4.8 months from surgery in the 61.18% of the patients. The results were subjectively excellent, while the 54.00% were objectively excellent according to Ovadia and Beals score, and the results showed 29 complications. Conlusions From our data hybrid external fixation with or without minimal fixation is a good surgical method to treat pilon fractures.