Efficacy of Ultrasonography for MIPO in Distal Tibia Fractures

CATEGORY: Ankle; Trauma INTRODUCTION/PURPOSE: Restoration of normal anatomic alignment is most important aspect of the minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) for tibia fracture. The purpose of this study was to verify the usefulness of ultrasonography of MIPO in tibia fractures. METHODS: Of the tibia fracture patients were admitted to the emergency department patients who plan to MIPO surgery were enrolled. We measured maximum angular formation in posteromedial and anterior edge of tibia using ultrasonography (US). And then, we measured maximum angular formation using mobile C-arm images after closed reduction in operating room. The accuracy was measured and compared using 3-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT). RESULTS: There was no significant difference in accuracy between C-arm and US. However, the use of C-arm during surgery was reduced by using US. By using US, we could determine that the reduction is adequate without the lateral and oblique C-arm images. CONCLUSION: The use of US is useful in reduction for tibia fracture. It seems that US is effective for confirmation of reduction state and considered safe and non-invasive because it can reduce the radiation exposure by using C-arm.