medigraphic.com
SPANISH

Acta Ortopédica Mexicana

ISSN 2992-8036 (Electronic)
ISSN 2306-4102 (Print)
Órgano Oficial del Colegio Mexicano de Ortopedia y Traumatología
  • Contents
  • View Archive
  • Information
    • General Information        
    • Directory
  • Publish
    • Instructions for authors        
  • medigraphic.com
    • Home
    • Journals index            
    • Register / Login
  • Mi perfil

2026, Number 3

<< Back Next >>

Acta Ortop Mex 2026; 40 (3)

Anatomical description of a new posterolateral double-window approach for the management of tibial plateau fractures

Melo-Realpe J, Hernández-Caicedo A, Villa-Bandera J, Gil-Noriega G, Orlando-Clavijo E, Suárez-Mejía L, Hernández-Díaz T
Full text How to cite this article 10.35366/123291

DOI

DOI: 10.35366/123291
URL: https://dx.doi.org/10.35366/123291

Language: English
References: 13
Page: 195-200
PDF size: 3069.80 Kb.


Key words:

tibial plateau fractures, fracture fixation, knee joint, surgical procedures, surgery.

ABSTRACT

Introduction: anatomical reduction and stable fixation are crucial in the treatment of articular fractures to prevent post-traumatic osteoarthritis and joint dysfunction. However, surgical exposure of the lateral tibial plateau remains a challenge, especially in the posterolateral column. New approaches are needed to provide adequate visualization of the articular surface. This study aims to anatomically describe a posterolateral double-window approach (anterior and posterior to the biceps femoris) in cadaveric specimens, optimizing surgical exposure without the need for osteotomies. Material and methods: dissections were performed on two knee specimens, employing a posterolateral double-window approach (anterior and posterior to the biceps femoris). The exposed tibial surface was measured using a uniplanar ruler, and the percentages of lateral tibial plateau visualization were calculated. Results: in the left knee, the exposure of the anterolateral quadrant was 82%, and in the posterolateral quadrant was 66%. In the right knee, 70 and 66% were obtained, respectively. The anterolateral window provided greater exposure compared to the posterolateral one. Conclusion: this technique represents a viable surgical option to optimize tibial exposure without osteotomies. Clinical studies are needed to validate its impact on functional recovery in patients.


REFERENCES

  1. Müller ME, Allgower M, Schneider R, Willenegger H. Manual of internal fixation: techniques recommended by the AO-ASIF group. Berlin: Springer-Verlag; 1979.

  2. Frosch KH, Balcarek P, Walde T, Stürmer KM. A new posterolateral approach without fibula osteotomy for the treatment of tibial plateau fractures. J Orthop Trauma. 2010; 24(8): 515-20.

  3. Barei DP, Nork SE, Mills WJ, Henley MB, Benirschke SK. Complications associated with internal fixation of high-energy bicondylar tibial plateau fractures utilizing a two-incision technique. J Orthop Trauma. 2006; 20(2): 85-91.

  4. Carlson DA. Posterior bicondylar tibial plateau fractures. J Orthop Trauma. 2005; 19(2): 73-8.

  5. Fakler JK, Locherbach C, Josten C. Surgical treatment of tibial plateau fractures. EFORT Open Rev. 2017; 2(5): 205-10.

  6. Solomon LB, Stevenson AW, Baird RP, Pohl AP. Posterolateral approach to the tibial plateau revisited: radiographic analysis of the revised posterolateral approach. J Orthop Trauma. 2013; 27(8): e186-93.

  7. Solomon LB, Ferris L, Fiorenza M, Callary SA, Howie DW. Long-term functional outcomes following tibial plateau fractures. ANZ J Surg. 2018; 88(3): 225-30.

  8. Krause M, Frings J, Isik H, Frosch KH. Comparison of extended lateral approaches to the tibial plateau: The articular exposure of lateral epicondyle osteotomy with and without popliteus tendon vs. fibula osteotomy. Injury. 2020; 51(8): 1874-8.

  9. Cho JW, Kim J, Lee JH, Bae J, Oh HK. Comparison of three surgical approaches for the posterolateral tibial plateau fracture: radiological and clinical outcomes. J Knee Surg. 2020; 33(9): 913-20.

  10. Sun H, Zheng Y, Zhang Y, Liu X, Zhu Y. A modified anterolateral approach with posterolateral fragment reduction via the anterior tibiofibular ligament window in tibial plateau fractures. J Orthop Surg Res. 2022; 17(1): 198.

  11. Gwinner C, Mardian S, Schwabe P, Schaser KD, Krapohl BD, Jung TM. Current concepts review: fractures of the tibial plateau. Unfallchirurg. 2017; 120(8): 653-69.

  12. De Boeck H. Surgical approaches to the tibial plateau. Oper Orthop Traumatol. 2015; 27(4): 201-13.

  13. Zhai Q, Hu C, Pang Q, Ding R, Shen M, Zhang K. Comparison of different surgical approaches for the treatment of posterolateral tibial plateau fractures: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Orthop Surg. 2021; 13(3): 869-79.



EVIDENCE LEVEL

V




Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4

2020     |     www.medigraphic.com

Mi perfil

C?MO CITAR (Vancouver)

Acta Ortop Mex. 2026 May-Jun;40