Treatment of Distal Femoral Fractures with the Less Invasive Stabilization System (LISS) in Paraplegics.

Purpose: To present the results of operative treatment of distal femoral fractures with the Less Invasive Stabilization System (LISS) and discuss the indications in a clinical study. Methods: Clinical examination, X-ray control. Results: The primary aim of the treatment of femoral fractures in paraplegics is remobilization as early as possible, so that secondary complications are avoided. Operative treatment is difficult because of osteoporosis and the poor condition of the soft tissues. In this study the results of six patients with distal femoral fractures treated operatively with the LISS were investigated. Bony consolidation of the fracture was achieved in all cases. All patients regained the preoperative range of knee joint motion within the first 6 weeks after surgery. Complications relating to the implant were not observed. Conclusion: The LISS is a valuable method of treating distal femoral fractures in paraplegics. It combines high primary stability with the biological advantages of a slide-insertion plate osteosynthesis. Nonoperative treatment should only be performed in exceptional cases in which the implant cannot be anchored in the bone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]