OBJECTIVETo explore the technique and clinical results of minimally invasive percutancous plate osteosynthesis (MIPPO) for the treatment of fractures of the distal tibia.

METHODSA retrospective study was conducted to analyze 65 patients with the distal tibia fractures who had been treated with MIPPO. The average age of the patients was 35 years old (ranging from 13 to 75). There were 42 males and 23 females. According to AO fracture classification for the distal tibial fractures, there were 5 cases of type-A1 fracture, 22 type-A2, 32 type-A3 and 6 type-C1.

RESULTSAll the patients were followed up and ranged from 6 to 18 months (averaged 11 months). All the fractures showed union. The time required for the bony union ranged from 3 to 6 months (averaged 4.5 months). The patients were evaluated with respect to functional recovery according to Mazur Grating System for the Ankle. Forty patients obtained excellent results, 19 good and 6 fair. The total satisfactory rate was 90.7%.

CONCLUSIONThe technology of minimally invasive percutancous plate osteosynthesis (MIPPO)is a safe and effective procedure for the distal tibial fractures with the benefits of limited invasion,less complications and high rate of bone union.