Gosselin Fracture

Description

Gosselin fracture: V-shaped fracture of the distal tibia with extension into the tibial plafond, dividing it into anterior and posterior segments

Distal tibia fractures that involve the articular surface or tibial plafond are also known as ‘Pilon fractures’. They usually result from axial loading of the weight-bearing surface of the tibia. The degree of comminution, soft tissue swelling, and articular incongruity indictate surgical management – which is usually external fixation followed by delayed definitive fixation if the soft tissue swelling is severe

History

1855 – Gosselin first described the fracture as a note in ‘Mémoires de la Société de chirurgie de Paris‘ and ‘Gazette des hôpitaux’

1873 – Gosselin presented full description and annotated drawings of the fracture, translated 1878

Associated Persons

• Léon Athanase Gosselin (1815–1887)

References

• Gosselin LA. Les fractures en V du tibia. Bulletins et mémoires de la Société de chirurgie de Paris. 1855 p262
• Gosselin LA. Leçon faite à l’hôpital Cochin sur les fractures en V du tibia. Gazette des hôpitaux. 1855. 28; p218
• Gosselin LA. Clinique chirurgicale de l’hôpital de la Charité. e. 3, Paris 1879, lesson 37 p603-620. [Clinical Lectures on Surgery: Trans. Stimson LA. 1878. Lesson XII p90-92.]