La configurazione “tripolare” del fissatore esterno temporaneo nel trattamento in due stadi delle fratture di pilone tibiale

Two-stage treatment is the best strategy to reduce the amount of complications in the treatment of tibial pilon fractures. A new “tripolar” configuration of the external fixation used for the acute stabilisation was developed and evaluated in 15 consecutive cases of articular and periarticular fractures of the distal tibia. It is an assembly structured only of three screws and three bars, that is possible to construct even without X-ray and with superficial anesthesia. In all cases there was absence of intra-operative problems and good stability for the postoperative nursing. The time elapsed between trauma and this procedure was 3–144 hours, the average time of positioning of the frame was 8.4 minutes, the definitive osteosynthesis was performed 4–15 days after the first surgery, always without problems both in case of ORIF or external fixation. Other studies with more cases are needed to confirm these encouraging preliminary results.