ObjectiveTo design the channels of parallel screws and cross screws for fixation of symphysis pubis diastasis through a small sample anatomic study on pubic symphysis and its neighbor structures so as to provide anatomical basis for minimally invasive fixation of symphysis pubis diastasis. MethodsEight cadaveric pelvic specimens (6 men and 2 women) were transected along L5 and the proximal 1/3 of bilateral thighs, with intact lumbar spines. The spermatic cord, womb round ligament, and corona mortis were dissected; the distance to the ipsilateral pubic tubercle was measured and subsequently the distance between pubic tubercles, the height of pubic symphysis, the diameter of outer edge of pubic tubercle, the thickness of pubic symphysis and 2 cm outside the pubic symphysis (upper, central, and lower 1/3 thickness of pubic symphysis) were measured to provide anatomical basis for the design of channels of parallel screws and cross screws. ResultsParallel screw fixation: the entry point of first screw was on the outer edge of pubic tubercle, and its exit point was on the outer edge of contralateral pubic tubercle; a cannulated screw with a diameter of 4.5 mm or 6.5 mm can be suitable for this channel. The entry point of second screw was 20 mm outside the pubic symphysis and 23 mm beneath the pubic symphysis, and its exit point was symmetrical with entry point; a cannulated screw with a diameter of 4.5 mm can be appropriate for the second channel. The direction of two screws was perpendicular to the pubic symphysis. Cross screw fixation: the entry point of cross screws was on one side of the pubic tubercle, and its exit point was 20 mm outside the contralateral pubic symphysis and 23 mm beneath the contralateral pubic symphysis; two cannulated screws with a diameter of 4.5 mm can be chosen for cross screws channels. The direction of two cross screws was intersected with the horizontal line of two pubic tubercles at an angle of 25° respectively; besides, two cross screws formed an anteversion angle and retroversion angle of 5-10° with pubic body plane, respectively. ConclusionThe channels of parallel screws and cross screws are feasible for fixation of symphysis pubis diastasis by analyzing the anatomical data of the pubic symphysis and its neighbor structures, but further biomechanical research is need to confirm the stability of two fixation methods.
ObjectiveTo summarize the progress in treatment of pubic symphysis diastasis. MethodsRelated literature concerning treatment of pubic symphysis diastasis was extensively reviewed and comprehensively analyzed in terms of anatomy, biomechanics, and treatment. ResultsThere are many fixation methods for treatment of pubic symphysis diastasis, which aims at restoring the stability of the anterior pelvic ring. External fixator is often used as a temporary fixation; tension band wire has been abandoned due to its poor biomechanical stability; screw loosening and plate breakage often appears when a single reconstruction plate is used; box plate significantly increases the biomechanical stability of anterior pelvic ring but it leads to a considerable surgical trauma; locking plate has been used for pubic symphysis diastasis recently, especially for osteoporotic fractures; percutaneous cannulated screw has the advantages of less trauma, less bleeding, and good stability, so it is good choice for treatment of pubic symphysis diastasis. ConclusionThere is no uniform standards about the treatment of pubic symphysis diastasis, but the minimally invasive treatment is an undeniable trend. Percutaneous cannulated screw has achieved satisfactory effectiveness, however, its biomechanical stability and anatomic channels need to be further studied.
ObjectiveTo investigate the application of lateral malleolus hook-plate for the treatment of stageⅡsupination-adduction type medial malleolus fractures. MethodsBetween January 2011 and June 2013, 21 patients with stageⅡsupination-adduction type ankle fractures were treated with lateral malleolus hook-plate, including 12 males and 9 females with an average age of 55.5 years (range, 27-65 years). The injury causes were sprain in 17 cases and traffic accident in 4 cases. The mean time between injury and admission was 12.4 hours (range, 2-72 hours). The tibial distal medial articular surface collapse was found in 7 cases by CT examination and in 3 cases by X-ray film. Of 21 cases, there were 12 cases of low transverse fractures of lateral malleolus, 7 cases of short oblique fractures of lateral malleolus, and 2 cases of ankle joint lateral collateral ligament injury without fractures of lateral malleolus. After operation, the clinical outcome was evaluated according to the talus-leg angle, the recovery of Coin-sign continuity, inside-outside and top ankle gap, talus slope, American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score, Olerud-Molander score, Kofoed evaluation standards, and patient satisfaction. ResultsSeventeen cases were followed up 18.7 months on average (range, 12-25 months). Primary healing was obtained in 16 cases except 1 case of delayed healing. Fracture healed at an average of 14.6 weeks (range, 12-16 weeks). All cases achieved anatomical reduction, the continuity of Coin-sign, and consistency of inside and outside joint gap; no talus tilt occurred. There was no complication of reduction loss, loosening or breakage of internal fixation, or osteoarthritis during follow-up. The talus-leg angle of the affected side was significantly improved to (83.4±1.8)° at 1 week after operation from preoperative (74.8±7.1)° (t=5.370, P=0.000), but no significant difference was found when compared with normal side (83.8±2.3)° (t=0.676, P=0.509). The AOFAS score, Olerud-Molander score, and range of motion at 1 week, 3 months, and 1 year after operation were significantly improved when compared with preoperative ones (P < 0.05). According to Kofoed evaluation standard, the outcome was excellent in 15 cases and good in 2 cases; the excellent and good rate was 100%. According to patient satisfaction, the outcome was excellent in 13 cases, good in 3 cases, and poor in 1 case; the excellent and good rate was 94.1%. ConclusionThe use of lateral malleolus hook-plate for fixation of stageⅡsupination-adduction type medial malleolus fracture not only can effectively maintain anatomical reduction and supporting function, but also can prevent re-collapsing of the reset joint surface. The surgical method can not increase soft tissue complication, so it is a safe and effective method.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the surgical techniques, perioperative complications, clinical outcomes of the modified Stoppa approach in the treatment of acetabular anterior and posterior column fractures. MethodsBetween March 2008 and October 2014, 42 cases of acetabular anterior and posterior column fractures were treated by modified Stoppa approach or modified Stoppa approach combined with iliac fossa approach, and the clinical data were retrospectively analyzed. There were 20 females and 22 males with an average age of 43.2 years (range, 19-68 years). Fractures were caused by traffic accident in 21 cases, by falling from height in 16 cases, and by heavy pound in 5 cases. The time from injury to operation was 3-15 days (mean, 6 days). According to fracture classification of Letournel-Judet, there were 20 cases of both column fractures, 15 cases of anterior and posterior hemi-transverse fractures and 7 cases of T-shaped fractures. The intraoperative blood loss, the amount of blood transfusion, the operation time, the volumn of drainage, and complication were recorded. Matta radiological standard was used to evaluate the reduction quality of fracture, and Merled'Aubigné-Postel system to evaluate hip function. ResultsThe average intraoperative blood loss was 900 mL; the average amount of blood transfusion was 400 mL; the average volume of drainage was 110 mL; and the average operation time was 165 minutes. Intraoperative complications included 4 cases of tractive injury of obturator nerve and 2 cases of the external iliac vein injury, and postoperative complications included 2 cases of lateral femoral cutaneous nerve palsies and 1 case of deep vein embolism of lower extremity, which were improved after treatment. The patients were followed up 36 months on average (range, 12-48 months). There was no infection or heterotopic ossification. According to Matta radiological evaluation system, the reduction quality of fractures was rated as excellent in 21 cases, good in 16 cases, and poor in 5 cases, with an excellent and good rate of 88.1%. The healing time of fracture was 3.5-8.0 months (mean, 5.1 months). According to Merled'Aubigné-Postel system for hip function, 20 cases were graded as excellent, 15 cases as good, 4 cases as fair, and 3 cases as poor, with an excellent and good rate of 83.3% at last follow-up. ConclusionModified Stoppa approach or with iliac fossa approach can get full exposure of quadrilateral area, good reduction, and firm internal fixation in the treatment of acetabular fractures associated with T-shaped fractures, both column fractures, anterior and posterior hemi-transverse fractures.
ObjectiveTo compare the clinical effect of proximal femoral nail antirotation (PFNA) and locking proximal femoral plate (LPFP) for femoral intertrochanteric fracture in elderly patients. MethodsWe respectively analyzed the clinical data of 116 senile patients with femoral intertrochanteric fracture treated between October 2008 and March 2014. Among them, 60 were treated with PFNA, and 56 were treated with LPFP. We compared the two groups of patients in terms of operating time, surgical blood loss, surgical complications, walking exercise time, fracture healing time and joint function recovery. ResultsA total of 115 patients had regular follow-up from 12 to 24 months (averaging 15.7 months). One patient died. The operating time was (83.26±14.81) minutes in PFNA group and (102.58±15.31) minutes in LPFP group. The surgical blood loss was (202.16±33.14) mL in PFNA group and (255.80±45.92) mL in LPFP group. The walking exercise time was (1.80±0.91) weeks in PFNA group and (3.48±3.03) weeks in LPFP group. The fracture healing time was (11.80±2.26) weeks in PFNA group and (12.14±2.21) weeks in LPFP group. The postoperative Harris score for hip joint was 84.56±9.55 in PFNA group and 82.47±9.22 in LPFP group. There were statistical differences in operating time, surgical blood loss and walking exercise time (P<0.05), while no statistical differences were found in fracture healing time and postoperative Harris score for hip joint (P>0.05). ConclusionPFNA and LPFP are effective methods for femoral intertrochanteric fracture in elderly people, but PFNA has a shorter operating time, less surgical blood loss and earlier walking exercise time.
ObjectiveTo investigate the application and technical essentials of computer-assisted navigation in the surgical management of periacetabular fractures and pelvic fractures. MethodsBetween May 2010 and May 2011, 39 patients with periacetabular or anterior and posterior pelvic ring fractures were treated by minimally invasive fixation under computer-assisted navigation and were followed up more than 2 years, and the clinical data were analyzed retrospectively. There were 21 males and 18 females, aged 15-64 years (mean, 36 years). Fractures were caused by traffic accident in 23 cases, crush injury in 6 cases, and falling from height in 10 cases. Of them, 6 cases had acetabular fractures; 6 cases had femoral neck fractures; 18 cases had dislocation of sacroiliac joint; and 15 cases had anterior pelvic ring injuries. All patients were treated with closed or limited open reduction and screw fixations assisted with navigation. ResultsEighty-nine screws were inserted during operation, including 8 in the acetabulum, 18 in the neck of the femur, 33 in the sacroiliac joint, and 30 in the symphysis pubis and pubic rami. The mean time of screw implanted was 20 minutes (range, 11-38 minutes), and the average blood loss volume was 20 mL (range, 10-50 mL). The postoperative pelvic X-ray and three dimensional CT scan showed good reduction of fractures and good position of the screws. No incision infection, neurovascular injury, or implant failure occurred. All patients were followed up 27-33 months with an average of 29.6 months. The patients could walk with full weight loading at 6-12 weeks after operation (mean, 8 weeks); at last follow-up, the patients could walk on the flat ground, stand with one leg, and squat down, and they recovered well enough to do their job and to live a normal life. ConclusionMinimally invasive fixation under computer-assisted navigation may be an excellent method to treat some specific types of periacetabular and anterior and posterior pelvic ring fractures because it has the advantages of less trauma and blood loss, lower complication incidence, and faster recovery.