ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical effect of surgical treatment of Pilon fractures accompanied with fibula fractures with the improved double operative approaches. MethodsBetween January 2012 and June 2015, 19 patients with closed Pilon fractures accompanied with fibula fractures (Rüedi-Allgöwer type Ⅲ) underwent open reduction and internal fixation with improved anterior-median incision and posterior-lateral incision. There were 13 males and 6 females, aged 35 years on average (range, 23-68 years). Injury was caused by traffic accident in 11 cases, falling from height in 7 cases, and crash injury of heavy object in 1 case. According to AO/OTA classification, there were 4 cases of type C2, and 15 cases of type C3. According to Tscherne-Gotzen classification of soft tissue defect, 6 cases were rated as grade 1 and 13 cases as grade 2. The interval of injury and operation was 6-18 days (mean, 10.3 days). After operation, reduction of Pilon fracture was evaluated by the Burwell-Charnley radiological evaluation criteria, and the ankle joint function was evaluated by the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score. ResultsThe operation time was 1.8-4.6 hours (mean, 2.4 hours); the intraoperative blood loss was 200-500 mL (mean, 310 mL). All the 19 patients were followed up for 13.7 months on average (range, 12-18 months). The fracture healing time was 3.6 months on average (range, 2.5-8.0 months). Postoperative complications included anterior-median incision necrosis in 2 cases, traumatic arthritis in 2 cases, and ankle instability in 1 case. According to Burwell-Charnley radiological evaluation criteria, anatomical reduction was obtained in 15 cases and satisfactory reduction in 4 cases. According to AOFAS score, the excellent and good rate was 84.2% (excellent in 11 cases, good in 5 cases, and fair in 3 cases). ConclusionThe improved anterior-median incision combined with posterior-lateral incision is a safe and effective method to treat complex Pilon fractures accompanied with fibula fractures, which has the advantages of simple operation, adequate exposure and minimal invasion.