Fixation of Superomedially Displaced Acetabular Fractures Using an Anatomical Suprapectineal Quadrilateral Surface Plate Through Modified Stoppa Approach

Treatment of superomedially displaced acetabular fractures including a quadrilateral surface (QLS) is challenging. We present a surgical technique using an anatomical suprapectineal QLS plate through the modified Stoppa approach and report the availability of this plate to treat this fracture type along with the surgical outcomes. Thirteen consecutive patients (11 men and 2 women) who underwent surgical treatment using an anatomical suprapectineal QLS plate through a modified Stoppa approach for superomedially displaced acetabular fractures between June 2018 and June 2020, were enrolled retrospectively. These fractures included 10 both-column fractures and 3 anterior-column and posterior hemitransverse fractures, which were confirmed on preoperative 3-dimensional computed tomography. Surgical outcomes were clinically assessed using the Postel Merle d’Aubigné (PMA) score and visual analog scale (VAS) score at the final follow-up, and radiological evaluations were performed immediately after the operation and at the final follow-up. The follow-up period was longer than 1 year in all patients with a mean 22.9 months. The mean operation time was 103 min. Anatomical reduction was achieved in 11 (84.6%) patients, while imperfect reduction was achieved in the remaining two (15.3%) patients. At the final follow-up, radiographic grades were excellent, fair, and poor in 11 (84.6%), one (7.6%), and one patient, respectively. The mean PMA score was 16.3 (range, 13-18) and the mean VAS score was 1.0 (range, 0-3). No secondary reduction loss or implant loosening was observed. However, two patients underwent conversion to total hip arthroplasty due to post-traumatic arthritis and subsequent joint pain. No other complications were observed. Simultaneous reduction and fixation using an anatomical suprapectineal QLS plate through the modified Stoppa approach can provide satisfactory outcomes in superomedially displaced acetabular fractures, resulting in shorter operation times and fewer complications.

Intentional Fallers with Complex Pelvic and Acetabular Fractures Do Not Have worse Radiological and Functional Outcomes than Accidental Fallers

Individuals who fall from heights of ≥6 m can suffer from complex pelvic and acetabular fractures. The extent to which an intentional fall correlates with prognosis and outcome after osteosynthesis is unclear. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the clinical outcomes of fallers with pelvic and acetabular fractures after osteosynthesis and compare the radiological and functional outcomes between intentional and accidental fallers. We retrospectively reviewed 49 fallers who fell from heights of ≥6 m, developed pelvic and acetabular fractures, survived after resuscitation, and completed surgical treatment between 2014 and 2017. Fallers were divided into intentional and accidental fallers. Sixteen patients were intentional fallers, whereas the rest of the patients were accidental fallers. Psychiatric counseling was provided to each of the intentional fallers during follow-up. All intentional fallers had preexisting mental disorders, and the most common diagnosis was adjustment disorder. The group of intentional fallers predominantly comprised females that had a higher injury and new injury severity scores and longer hospital stays. However, early loss of fixation (<3 months) and functional outcomes (Merle d’Aubigné and Majeed hip scores at 6- and 12-month follow-ups) did not significantly differ between intentional and accidental fallers. We found that intentional fallers with pelvic and acetabular fractures may have more severe combined injuries compared to accidental fallers. However, the radiological and functional outcomes of the intentional fallers after osteosynthesis were not inferior to those of the accidental fallers with the implementation of well-designed surgical protocols and individualized physical and mental rehabilitation programs.

Management and Outcomes of Bilateral Acetabular Fractures: A Critical Review of the Literature

Background Bilateral acetabular fractures constitute a rare entity, and their optimal management is unknown. Materials and Methods A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library between 1995 and 2020. Inclusion criteria were studies presenting cases of bilateral acetabular fractures and reporting outcomes. Extracted data included patient demographics, injury mechanism, fracture classification, associated injuries, management and outcomes. Results Thirty-seven studies (47 cases; 35 males vs 12 females) were included. Mean age was 46 years old (range 13–84) and mean follow-up was 19.8 months (range 1.5–56). High-energy injuries (49%) and seizures (45%) were the most common injury mechanisms. Fracture type distribution differed according to injury mechanism. Treatment was surgical in 70% of cases (75% open reduction and internal fixation vs 25% acute total hip arthroplasty). Outcomes were excellent/good in 58% of patients. Complications included heterotopic ossification (11%), nerve injury (11%), degenerative arthritis (6%), DVT (6%), and infection (3%). Conclusions Bilateral acetabular fractures most commonly occur either after trauma or seizures and are commonly managed operatively. They are not devoid of complications, however, more than half (58%) achieve complete functional recovery.

Comparison of Therapeutic Outcomes of Transabdominal Pararectus Approach and Modified Stoppa Approach in Treating Pelvic and Acetabular Fractures

Objective Pelvic and acetabular fractures are common orthopedic diseases, and this research was to investigate the therapeutic effects of pararectus and Stoppa approaches in treating complex pelvic acetabular fractures. Methods The clinical information of patients with pelvic and acetabular fractures treated surgically in Lu'an Hospital of Chinese medicine, China from January 2016 to April 2020 was analyzed. There were 30 cases each in the transabdominal pararectus approach and modified Stoppa approach groups. The operation time, incision length, blood loss, and postoperative complications of both groups were recorded according to the Merle d'Aubigné-Postel hip score. The recovery of hip function was evaluated 6 months after surgery, and the clinical and therapeutic efficacies of the two groups were compared. Results The patients were followed up for 6–7 months (average, 6.5 months). The average operation time, incision length, and blood loss in the pararectus and Stoppa approach groups were 180 ± 41.105 min, 8.667 ± 1.373 cm, 259.667 ± 382 mL and 202.667 ± 32.793 min, 11.600 ± 1.958 cm, and 353.667 ± 590 mL, respectively. The satisfactory rate of fracture reduction, excellent and good rate of hip function score, and incidence of complications were 28/30, 27/30, 1/30 and 25/30, 25/30, 3/30, respectively. There were significant differences in operation time, incision length, and blood loss between the two groups (p < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the excellent and good rate of hip function score, fracture reduction satisfaction, and complication rate between both groups (p > 0.05). Conclusions The pararectus approach can reveal the better anatomical structure of the pelvis and acetabulum, such as the corona mortis and quadrilateral plate, for conducive fracture reduction and fixation. It can also effectively shorten the length of the incision, reduce operative blood loss, and shorten the operation time. It is a better choice for the clinical treatment of complex pelvic and acetabular fractures.

Indications and Outcomes of the Kocher-Langenbeck Surgical Approach in the Management of Acetabular Fractures in a Resource Limited Setting

The Kocher-Langenbeck (K-L) approach is the ‘workhorse’ of surgery for acetabular fractures needing posterior fixation. It is indicated for most of these fractures for proper surgical technique and optimal outcome. We therefore evaluated the outcome of surgically treated acetabular fractures through the K-L approach in our setting with limited resources. 57 patients were operated by the K-L approach during the 3-year study period. The most common indications of this approach were: posterior wall (38.6%) and transverse + posterior wall fractures (36.8%). Based on Matta’s criteria of fracture reduction, 81 % were judged anatomic, 16% imperfect and 3 % poor. A surgery waiting time of 8 to 14 days after injury, significantly favoured anatomic fracture reduction. The MAP score was excellent in 72 % and unacceptable in 10.6 %. Factors associated with poor outcomes were poor fracture reduction and the development of early post-operative complications. Iatrogenic sciatic nerve palsy (ISNP) was the most significant post-operative complication (19.3%). The levering of Hohmann retractors in the sciatic notches was the major risk factor for developing ISNP, compared to the use of sciatic nerve retractors. Other early and late complications included surgical site infections (12.3%) and heterotopic ossification (8.8 %), respectively. The overall outcome following surgery by the K-L approach is satisfactory. However, there is need to ameliorate the technique, especially at the level of instrumentation, to limit post-operative complications.

Evaluation of decision-making in the treatment of acetabular fractures

Treatment of acetabular fractures is challenging and risky, especially when surgery is performed. Yet, stability and congruity of the hip joint need to be achieved to ensure early mobilization, painlessness, and good function. Therefore, coming up with an accurate decision, whether surgical treatment is indicated or not, is the key to successful therapy. Data from the German pelvic Trauma Registry (n = 4213) was evaluated retrospectively, especially regarding predictors for surgery. Furthermore, a logistic regression model with surgical treatment as the dependent variable was established. In total, 25.8% of all registered patients suffered from an acetabular fracture and 61.9% of them underwent surgery. The fracture classification is important for the indication of surgical therapy. Anterior wall fractures were treated surgically in 10.2%, and posterior column plus posterior wall fractures were operated on in 90.2%. Also, larger fracture gaps were treated surgically more often than fractures with smaller gaps (>3 mm 84.4%, <1 mm 20%). In total, 51.4% of women and 66.0% of men underwent surgery. Apart from the injury severity score (ISS), factors that characterize the overall picture of the injury were of no importance for the indication of a surgical therapy (isolated pelvic fracture: 62.0%, polytrauma: 58.8%). The most frequent reason for non-operative treatment was ‘minimal displacement’ in 42.2%. Besides fracture classification and fracture characteristics, no factors characterizing the overall injury, except for the ISS, and unexpectedly gender, are important for making a treatment decision. Further studies are needed to determine the relevance of these factors, and whether they should be used for the decision-making process, in particular surgeons with less experience in pelvic surgery, can orient themselves to.