LISS plate for treatment of distal femur fracture. Clinical and functional outcomes

Abstract

The aim of the present study is to evaluate the use of the Less Invasive Stabilization System (LISS) plate for distal femoral fractures, examining variables such as type of fracture and length of plate.

A retrospective study of 30 patients with a distal femoral fracture, treated with a distal femur LISS plate (Synthes) was performed. Average age was 71 years old (20-101). According to the AO classification, 16 fractures were type A, 5 type B, and 9 type C. The consolidation index and clinical outcomes measured with Knee Society Score (KSS) questionnaire were evaluated.

Fracture consolidation took an average time of 16 weeks (14-20). Mean KSS was 77,3 (50-97) at the 2-year follow-up visit, observing better outcomes on type C fractures (84,25). According to the KSS score, only two cases were described with bad functional outcomes (6%).

Distal femur fractures treated with the LISS plate achieved 94% of good and acceptable outcomes. Unlike the previously published, the best results were obtained with AO type C fractures, probably associated to the lower age (mean 53 years old) and better functional recovery capacity of this group.