Combined internal and external fixation achieved articular reduction rates comparable to ORIF while substantially reducing wound complication risk versus historical pure-ORIF series
Limited internal fixation was applied selectively to articular fragments only — incision size was dictated by fragment anatomy, not by a standard approach
External fixation managed metaphyseal comminution exclusively, keeping large implants out of the zone of maximal soft-tissue injury
Wound complication and infection rates were meaningfully lower than contemporary ORIF cohorts, supporting soft-tissue preservation as a primary surgical goal
The hybrid construct demonstrated that articular reduction quality need not be sacrificed to protect the soft-tissue envelope — the two objectives can be addressed independently
Combined internal and external fixation achieved articular reduction rates comparable to ORIF while substantially reducing wound complication risk versus historical pure-ORIF series
Limited internal fixation was applied selectively to articular fragments only — incision size was dictated by fragment anatomy, not by a standard approach
External fixation managed metaphyseal comminution exclusively, keeping large implants out of the zone of maximal soft-tissue injury
Wound complication and infection rates were meaningfully lower than contemporary ORIF cohorts, supporting soft-tissue preservation as a primary surgical goal
The hybrid construct demonstrated that articular reduction quality need not be sacrificed to protect the soft-tissue envelope — the two objectives can be addressed independently