Arthroscopic Ankle Arthrodesis with Circular External Fixator: Case Report

CATEGORY: Ankle Arthritis; Arthroscopy; Trauma INTRODUCTION/PURPOSE: One of the options for the surgical treatment of tibial pilon fracture is the circular external fixator. Similar results are found in the literature, with good outcomes in relation to a low incidence of infection, osteomyelitis and soft tissue injuries compared to open reduction and internal fixation. Even so, evolution to a probable arthrodesis occurs in 3-27% of cases, showing that the prognosis for this type of fracture is dismal. Options for performing joint fusion include open arthrotomy with joint decortication and internal fixation (plates and/or screws), in addition to arthroscopic joint preparation, a method that has been gaining popularity since 1983, in its first description. Fusion through circular external fixation is an excellent option that has shown good results in the literature. METHODS: Patient with left tibial pilon fracture. Uniplanar external fixation was performed in the emergency room, with subsequent conversion to transarticular circular external fixation. After 4 months of review, the patient has evidence of tibiotarsal arthrosis. It was decided to perform arthrodesis using the arthroscopic technique, performing joint compression with circular external fixation, already installed in the patient. Spinal anesthesia was performed on the patient and the Smarch tourniquet was used. First, access to the anteromedial portal, trocar and optic passage was obtained, and the intermediate dorsal cutaneous branch of the superficial peroneal nerve was identified laterally, and the anterolateral portal was constructed. Through these portals, a 4.5mm Shaver blade was used to perform curettage and joint debridement, in addition to curettes and osteotomes. In addition to arthroscopic control, fluoroscopic observation was also performed for adequate joint preparation.Finally, joint compression was performed with the device already installed. RESULTS: The patient presented complete consolidation of the tibio-tarsal arthrodesis. At the moment (2 years and 10 months postoperatively) the patient does not use crutches/gait accessories, does not limit his daily activities due to foot problems, does not have difficulty going down and up stairs, has good ankle alignment, plantigrade foot, has no joint pain and can walk long distances. CONCLUSION: This work showed a technique rarely reported or cited in the orthopedic literature, not presenting any article as an original description. Supported by the description of the procedure by the robust final functional results of the patient in question, this report establishes the basis for the widespread method and new works to emerge to enrich the debate and study around arthroscopic ankle arthrodesis using the Ilizarov method.