Comparison of Patients Who Underwent Open and Minimally Invasive Fixation in Lateral Malleolar Fractures

Open surgery technique: A longitudinal incision is made over the lateral malleolus, followed by sharp dissection down to the bone. The fracture is reduced under direct visualization and fixed with a plate and screws.

Closed surgery technique: A 2-3 cm longitudinal incision is made distal to the lateral malleolus to allow for plate placement. A periosteal elevator is used to create a pathway for the plate. The fracture is reduced in a closed manner using reduction clamps, and the plate position is confirmed fluoroscopically. A second longitudinal incision is made proximal to the fracture, and the plate is temporarily fixed with Kirschner wires. The plate is then used as an external guide, with screws placed through mini-incisions. The fracture is fixed with the plate-screw system in a minimally invasive manner.