[Osteosynthesis with compression as an alternative method in the internal fixation of malleolar fractures].

The authors discussed a group of patients with malleolar fractures operated on between 1974 and 1977. Compressive osteosynthesis was used as an alternative method of treatment. They compared their group of patients with a much larger group of patients that were surgically treated for malleolar fractures in the traumatology clinic in Ljublana between 1974 and 1977. This second group was divided according to the type of fracture, the type of surgical treatment, the time of treatment, and early and late complications. The authors also discussed the specifics of early postoperative functional treatment. The evaluations of the end results were based on regular control examinations including those patients in whom treatment was complete and were statistically documented. The authors statistics showed very good results in 49%, good results in 20%, and poor results in 31% of the cases. The authors consider the advantages of osteosynthesis with compression over and above the other well known methods of inner fixation, and listed the indications and spectrum of application of this method in the surgical treatment of malleolar fractures.