Keywords
fracture osteosynthesis - ankle fractures - one-third tubular plate - intra-articular
fractures
Introduction
Open reduction and osteosynthesis of avulsion fractures, with small fragments, multifragmentary
joint fractures, or in cases of osteoporosis,[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5] is not free of complications; it is a challenge for the surgeon to obtain an anatomical
reduction and perform stable fixation, especially if an adequate reduction is not
performed and the wrong implant is chosen.[6]
Zuelzer in 1948[7] used the prefabricated hook plate for fixation of fractures with small fragments
of the medial malleolus, olecranon, and tibial pilon, later Wagner[8] used it in a tibial osteotomy, but it was Weseley et al,[8]
[9] who modified the shape of the hooks pointed at 90 degrees in the distal foramen,
to be applied to the lateral malleolus in osteoporotic bones.[8]
[9] In 2003, Carpenter described the use of the hook plate in base fractures of the
fifth metatarsal.[10]
The hook plate has been used for fractures of the greater tuberosity of the proximal
humerus,[4] the lateral malleolus,[4]
[5]
[6] the proximal ulna,[9]
[11]
[12]
[13]
[14] phalanges,[15]
[16]
[17]
[18] acetabulum,[19]
[20]
[21]
[22]
[23] medial malleolus,[19]
[24] distal ulna, and fifth metatarsal[25] with good results.
Currently, the third tube plate is available in titanium and stainless steel. It also
has a low profile with a thickness of 1.0 millimeters, making it indicated in areas
with minimal soft tissue coverage such as the lateral malleolus, distal tibia, olecranon,
and distal ulna. The oval shape of its holes allows a certain degree of eccentric
placement of the screws to generate compression at the fracture site.[26-27]([Figure 1]).
Fig. 1 (a) One-third tubular-hook-plate for lateral malleolus poorly molded, (b) Appropriately
molded hook-type third tube plate for lateral malleolus.
After 20 years of use, this article presents the use of hook plate-type third tube
plates as a viable and successful alternative for the treatment of ankle fractures.
Materials and methods
A retrospective descriptive case series study was carried out in which the hook-type
third tube plate was used in ankle fractures made at the time of surgery. 83 patients
were included, over a period of 20 years (average follow-up of 12 years), from January
2002 to June 2022 in Quito - Ecuador, where 48/83 (57.84%) patients were male, with
an age range from 22 to 85 years. 90.3% of the sample were closed fractures and the
remaining 9.6% were exposed, according to Gustillo's classification,[28] 50% Grade II, 38% Grade IIIA, and 12% Grade IIIB. We used AO classification[22-27], 13% type 44A, 65% type 44 B, and 22% type 44C, all patients underwent open reduction
and osteosynthesis in the first 24 hours of evolution from the moment the fracture
occurred. In 18% of cases, a hook plate was used on the medial and posterior malleolus
as a buttress, with lateral, medial, posterolateral, or posteromedial approaches used
depending on the case.
One-third tubular plates (DePuy Synthes, Warsaw, Indiana, United States) were used,
cutting the one-third tubular plates at the most distal hole level and bending them
to form pointed hooks. The plate was then molded according to the anatomy of the bone
that was going to be fixed. It is important to bend the ends in such a way that they
are parallel to the plate and separated, so that they enter the respective fragment,
especially for the malleoli. When the plate is placed for a buttress effect, the hooks
must be perpendicular to the plate so that the proximal screws compress the fracture
focus when approaching the bone. Occasionally, it is necessary to asymmetrically bend
the plate hooks to better fit the distal end of the bone, to obtain adequate fixation
of the bone fragments.
In one case, the formation of non-bloody blisters was evident, a situation that did
not prevent surgical intervention within the first 24 hours. The hospitalization time
was 2 to 5 days. Prophylactic antibiotics were administered in 3 doses with first-generation
cephalosporins.
Immobilization was done with a posterior plaster splint only in the 18 patients who
presented type 44C ankle dislocation fracture (22%) and an external fixator was placed
in only 3 patients due to the severity of the wounds and instability, for four weeks.
([Figure 2])
Fig. 2 (a) Clinical image of the open ankle fracture, (b-c): AP and L X-ray of the ankle
with trimalleolar infrasyndesmal dislocation fracture, (d) Computed tomography (reconstruction),
(e-f) immediate post-operative AP and L X-ray with osteosynthesis with third tube
hook plates for each malleolus stabilization with external fixation, (g-h) AP and
L X-ray 11 months post-surgery, with consolidation observed of fractures.
The stitches were removed 15 days after surgery, subsequently, physiotherapy with
partial weight bearing was started in the patients who were not placed with immobilization.
Clinical and radiographic controls were carried out at 6 weeks, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 12
months after surgery, then controls were carried out every year to define definitive
medical discharge.
Results
The consolidation of the fractures was observed at 12 weeks in 68 patients (81.93%)
of the cases, between 13 years and 16 weeks in 4 patients (4.8%), more than 16 weeks
in patients (9.6% ), 3 patients (3.6%) presented delayed union, of which only two
agreed to undergo reoperation for placement of autologous bone graft, in which fracture
consolidation was observed after 20 years and 24 weeks, one patient of the three cases
presented non-union at the focus of the proximal segmental diaphyseal fracture of
the fibula that did not compromise the stability of the ankle and no reintervention
was necessary. ([Table 1])
Table 1
|
Consolidation Time
|
|
Mean
|
11,96875
|
|
Standard Error
|
0,25964123
|
|
Median
|
12
|
|
Mode
|
12
|
|
Standard Deviation
|
2,93750524
|
|
Sample Variance
|
8,62893701
|
|
Kurtosis
|
8,37683027
|
|
Skewness Coefficient
|
-0,4573465
|
|
Range
|
24
|
|
Minimum
|
0
|
|
Maximum
|
24
|
|
Sum
|
1532
|
|
Count
|
128
|
Complications were reported: a case of loosening of screws, resolved by superimposing
plates to increase the working surface, a case of non-anatomical reduction and poor
molding of the plate, resolved by revision osteosynthesis. ([Figure 3])
Fig. 3 (a-b): Preoperative AP and L X-ray, bimalleolar infrasyndemal fracture dislocation,
(c-d) Postoperative X-ray shows inadequate molding of the hook plate and valgus reduction
of the lateral malleolus. (e): Postoperative reintervention X-ray with adequate plate
molding.
A case of infection was reported in a patient with an open fracture of the tibia,
which did not compromise the stability of the osteosynthesis performed in the fibula,
making it necessary to remove the tibial implant and place an external fixator as
a definitive treatment.
Of the total number of cases, only one case evolved into ankle osteoarthritis, without
osteosynthesis failure. ([Figure 4]).
Fig. 4 (a-b) AP and L X-ray of the ankle with a 3-month postoperative period, delayed consolidation
of the fibula fracture is observed, (c-d) AP and L X-ray of the ankle with an 8-year
postoperative period, consolidation of the fibula fracture is observed in the fibula
and tibiotalar osteoarthritis. PO: 3 meses = PO 3 months PO: 8 años = PO 8 years
3.61% of the total cases presented limitation of ankle dorsiflexion, without preventing
activities of daily living.
Finally, only 2.49% of patients underwent implant removal. ([Figure 5]) ([Table 2])
Table 2
|
Plates use
|
Complication
|
|
Mean
|
1
|
0,0859375
|
|
Variance
|
0
|
0,079170768
|
|
Observations
|
128
|
128
|
|
Hypothesized Mean Difference
|
0
|
|
|
Degrees of Freedom
|
127
|
|
|
t Statistic
|
36,7534785
|
|
|
P(T < = t) One-Tail
|
7,72595E-70
|
|
|
Critical Value of t (One-Tail)
|
1,656940344
|
|
|
P(T < = t) Two-Tail
|
1,54519E-69
|
|
|
Critical Value of t (Two-Tail)
|
1,978819535
|
|
Fig. 5 (a) Clinical image of grade IIIA exposed fracture dislocation, (b-c) preoperative
AP and L X-ray of the ankle, trans and suprasyndemal bimalleolar dislocation fracture
of the ankle, (d-e) immediate postoperative AP and L X-ray, (f) X-ray Ankle AP 1 year
of evolution, (g) Ankle AP X-ray after implant removal.
To correlate variables and determine the outcomes of the hook-type one-third tubular
plate as a successful osteosynthesis alternative, a Dummy variable model will be applied
to transform qualitative data into quantitative data. Subsequently, Students' t-tests
will be used to identify a correlation factor through Pearson's parametric analysis.
By combining the use of the hook-type one-third tubular plate as an independent osteosynthesis
method, without employing other techniques, with potential complications, the findings
indicate that, for the sample, there is a 97.5% probability that using only the hook-type
one-third tubular plate is a stable method for consolidation. With a Pearson coefficient
of 0.04, it can be inferred that there is no significant relationship between the
use of the hook-type one-third tubular plate and complications, provided the technique
is performed correctly. ([Table 3])
Table 3
|
Hook plate
|
Consolidation
|
|
Mean
|
0,328125
|
0,7890625
|
|
Variance
|
0,222194882
|
0,167753445
|
|
Observations
|
128
|
128
|
|
Pearson Correlation Coefficient
|
0,02304905
|
|
|
Hypothesized Mean Difference
|
0
|
|
|
Degrees of Freedom
|
127
|
|
|
t Statistic
|
-8,499896657
|
|
|
P(T < = t) One-Tail
|
2,20136E-14
|
|
|
Critical Value of t (One-Tail)
|
1,656940344
|
|
|
P(T < = t) Two-Tail
|
4,40271E-14
|
|
|
Critical Value of t (Two-Tail)
|
1,978819535
|
|
The use of a hook plate presents a probability of success of 97.5% in terms of consolidation,
its failure in the cases observed is the product of poor technique, likewise, the
correlation coefficient is 0.04, which demonstrates that when using this fixation
method there are no alterations in the consolidation of the fractures or in their
time. ([Table 4])
Table 4
|
Plate
|
Consolidation delay
|
|
Mean
|
1
|
0,1171875
|
|
Variance
|
0
|
0,104269193
|
|
Observations
|
128
|
128
|
|
Pearson Correlation Coefficient
|
0,03
|
|
|
Hypothesized Mean Difference
|
0
|
|
|
Degrees of Freedom
|
127
|
|
|
t Statistic
|
30,93110624
|
|
|
P(T < = t) One-Tail
|
2,81019E-61
|
|
|
Critical Value of t (One-Tail)
|
1,656940344
|
|
|
P(T < = t) Two-Tail
|
5,62037E-61
|
|
|
Critical Value of t (Two-Tail)
|
1,978819535
|
|
Discussion
Articular fractures, multifragmentary fractures in poor-quality bones, and avulsion
fractures with small fragments can be treated with various methods. If an adequate
reduction and initial stabilization are not performed, it can lead to new surgical
interventions, leaving serious sequelae that would limit or hinder the daily activity,
work, or sports activity of a patient. It is important to choose the appropriate material
for each case; implants with anatomical and blocked designs imply a high cost and
are not always available, especially in public hospitals in developing countries.
In our setting, the premolded hook plate and the locked anatomical plate alone cost
between $750 to $1100 compared to 65 dollars for the one-third tubular plate. A cost
of approximately 92% lower is observed, that is, a patient would save approximately
92% by choosing the method presented in this article as a method of osteosynthesis.
After conducting bibliographic research, limited information has been found about
this method, with limited cases reported using the hook-type third tube plate. Panchbhavi
et al[5] described the hook plate plus 2 screws technique in ankle fractures in older adults
or osteoporotic bones, reporting that it is a technique that provides stable fixation
with good clinical results and consolidation of the fractures.
Zahn et al[29] demonstrated that the contoured locking plate may be more advantageous than the
non-contoured locking plate in their biomechanical study of cadavers. Another biodynamic
study carried out by Bariteau et al[30] in bone models demonstrated that the locked plate was superior to the third tube
plate in comminuted fractures. However, Vajapey et al,[24] compare the use of two compression screws versus a “homemade” hook plate in fractures
of the medial malleolus, despite having complications of 18% and 35% respectively,
no significant differences were comparing these two fixation systems obtaining the
consolidation of the fractures.
Know et al,[9] modify the hooks so that a cancellous screw can be placed in a better direction
and provide greater rotational stability, in fractures of the distal third of the
fibula. Yin et al[12] used the third tubular-hook-plate in 60 patients with avulsion fractures around
the joints, reporting excellent and good results in 95% of the cases, concluding that
it is a reliable fixation method, with high rates of recovery of joint function and
its use is convenient.
In this study, one case of reoperation due to poor surgical technique was reported.
Fracture consolidation was achieved in 78 patients, 3 patients experienced delayed
union, and only one case of nonunion was observed. Therefore, the hook-type one-third
tubular plate is considered a viable osteosynthesis alternative for comminuted distal
malleolar fractures or fractures with poor bone quality, provided the technique is
properly applied.
The study's limitations include its retrospective descriptive design, the absence
of comparative analysis with anatomically locked plates or prefabricated hook-locked
plates, and the lack of functional assessments using established scales. Additionally,
no studies were conducted to evaluate the degree of osteoporosis in patients with
poor bone quality, as the study's objective was to demonstrate the stability of this
method as an osteosynthesis alternative until fracture consolidation. Nevertheless,
the significant number of cases successfully treated with the hook-type one-third
tubular plate highlights its relevance and applicability, particularly in our local
context.
Conclusions
The hook-type one-third-tubular plate made during surgery is an osteosynthesis alternative
for the fixation of ankle fractures. If the anatomically locked plates or prefabricated
hook-locked plates are not available, stable fixation can be achieved until the consolidation
of the ankle fractures with small distal fragments, easy to reproduce, satisfactory
results can be obtained, with few complications and reinterventions, if an anatomical
reduction is obtained, and the technique is properly performed.
