A prospective, randomised trial comparing closed intramedullary nailing with percutaneous plating in the treatment of distal metaphyseal fractures of the tibia

111 patients with distal metaphyseal fracture of the tibia were randomized to surgical fixation either with intra-medullary nailing (IMN) or minimally invasive percutaneous plate osteosynthesis (MIPO), to compare both surgical techniques. At 1 year, both procedures were found to have similar fracture union and wound complication rates. However, those patients undergoing fixation with IMN, had significantly shorter operating times and iatrogenic delivery of radiation time.