Fibula Fracture: Plate versus Nail Fixation
- Author:
Henrik Constantin BÄCKER
1
;
J. Turner VOSSELLER
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From:Clinics in Orthopedic Surgery 2020;12(4):529-534
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Background:Intramedullary fixation has only uncommonly been used in the fibula although it may confer some advantages. Our goal was to investigate a single surgeon’s learning curve with initial usage of an intramedullary device for fibular fixation based on surgical time and quality of reduction.
Methods:Prior to initiation of this study, an experienced ankle fracture surgeon performed fibular nail fixation in a sawbones and a cadaver setting. Between February and August 2018, all patients who suffered from a distal fibula fracture underwent fibula fixation (n = 20) using the Fibulock (Arthrex). Patients were retrospectively investigated and compared with a control of fibular plate fixation. The tourniquet time, time of anesthesia, and surgery time were recorded as well as the quality of reduction.
Results:In the 20 cases, the mean tourniquet time was 68.9 ± 23.2 minutes for nail fixation, while in the fibular plate fixation group, the mean time was 75.8 ± 23.9 minutes (p = 0.37). Two patients had slight malreductions (first and third cases): one was corrected with a lag screw outside the nail, the other was an elderly patient with significant blistering in whom an entirely percutaneous reduction was performed.
Conclusions:Intramedullary fixation for fibular fractures does not appear to have a significant learning curve for an experienced ankle fracture surgeon.
