To investigate the clinical effect of flap combined with vacuum sealing drainage, lavage and drainage in the treatment of plate exposure after internal fixation of tibial fracture.

From January 2012 to June 2022, 12 patients with tibial fracture and postoperative plate exposure were treated with surgical debridement combined with vacuum sealing drainage, continuous lavage and drainage in Department of Cosmetic Burn and Plastic Surgery, the People′s Hospital of Leshan and in Department of Burn Plastic Surgery, Sichuan Provincial Corps Hospital of Armed Police, and appropriate type of flap repairment (muscle, myocutaneous or axial pattern skin flap) in accordance with wound condition. Regular postoperative follow-up were conducted, along with regular X-ray review. Removed the internal fixation after clinical fracture healing.

All 12 patients had viable flaps (muscle, myocutaneous and axial pattern skin flap), closed wounds and controlled infection condition. All patients were followed up for 4-18 months. The plates were retained during the whole treatment duration until the fracture healed with full functional recovery.

In patients with exposed plates after internal fixation of tibial fractures, the combination treatment method of flap with vacuum sealing drainage, continuous lavage and drainage has advantages in retaining the internal fixation during the fracture healing, leading to wound repairment and full functional recovery at the same time.