Comparison of articular exposure through extended lateral approaches to the tibial plateau

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: Comminuted lateral tibial plateau fractures pose a challenge to surgeons, resulting in non-anatomical reductions in 70-89% of all cases. Anatomical reconstruction requires the direct visualization of the joint after a fragment reduction, which is impaired using the common anterolateral approach. Although numerous lateral extended approaches are described, there is currently no data on which approach provides better visibility of the posterolateral tibial plateau. The aim of this study was to evaluate, which parts of the tibial plateau can be visualized with the use of the lateral femoral epicondyle osteotomy or the fibula osteotomy? Further, the study investigated wether the combined osteotomy of the femoral footprints of the lateral collateral ligament (LCL) and popliteus tendon (PLT) provide better access to the posterolateral joint surface than the isolated osteotomy of the femoral LCL footprint or the fibula osteotomy? MATERIALS AND METHODS: Extended lateral (femoral or fibular LCL osteotomy) and posterolateral (additional femoral osteotomy of the PLT tendon) approaches were performed on twelve human cadaver knee joints. After preparing of each surgical approach, the visible joint surface was marked with diathermy. The tibial plateau was disarticulated and the markings were measured digitally with open-source processing software. Differences in mean values were tested with a paired t-test (p < 0.05). RESULTS: The greatest articular exposition was realized by the fibula osteotomy (1011.52 ± 227.05 mm2 [86.64 ± 4.84%] compared to either osteotomy of LCL and PLT (p = 0.036) or LCL alone (p<0.001). The lateral femoral epicondyle osteotomy of the LCL including the PLT (937.45 ± 237.84 mm2 [80.29 ± 8.25 %]) exposed a significantly larger articular surface of the lateral tibial plateau than without the PLT (755.71 ± 183.06 mm2 [64.73 ± 6.51 %], p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The fibula osteotomy provides the greatest articular visibility of the lateral tibial plateau compared to the lateral epicondyle osteotomy of the femoral LCL and PLT attachments. This small benefit should be critically balanced against the considerably greater soft tissue damage caused by the fibula osteotomy. The lateral femoral epicondyle osteotomy including the LCL and PLT increases lateral articular visualization without risk to neurovascular or posterolateral soft tissue structures and represents an important extended approach to treat comminuted lateral plateau fractures.