ABSTRACT
Objective:To explore the safety, efficacy and preliminary clinical application of the single plantar approach or in combination with the dorsalis pedis approach in the treatment of Lisfranc injury with poor dorsalis pedis soft tissue, metatarsal avulsion fracture or complicated multi-column lesions.Methods:(1) Six fresh cadaveric specimens of adult foot were collected and dissected through the plantar approach in order to determine the skin incision of the plantar approach and the safe area for plate-screw internal fixation, including start-stop points and courses of plantar nerves, blood vessels, tendons and ligaments, followed by plate-screw fixation on the specimens. (2) After feasibility of the plantar approach was confirmed by our anatomical study, it was used to treat the 3 patients who were admitted to Department of Orthopedics, The Third Hospital Affiliated to Southern Medical University between September 2020 and November 2021 for Lisfranc injury with severe necrosis due to dorsalis pedis skin contusion or metatarsal base avulsion fracture. They were 2 males and one female, with an average age of 51 years (from 34 to 68 years). The preliminary clinical efficacy was evaluated in terms of visual analogue scale (VAS), midfoot score of American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Surgeons (AOFAS), Maryland score, Kofoed score, fracture healing at the last follow-up and postoperative complications.Results:(1) Regarding the anatomical exposure range, the metatarsal side of the first metatarsal wedge joint was exposed medially and the metatarsal side of the third metatarsal wedge joint was exposed laterally; the peroneus longus tendon, Lisfranc plantar ligament and interosseous ligament were explored. X-ray films after the simulated operation showed satisfactory plate positions. (2) As for the preliminary clinical application, all patients were followed up for 6 to 14 months (mean, 11 months). At the last follow-up, the VAS score ranged from 0 to 1 (mean, 0.5), AOFAS score from 85 to 92 (mean, 89), Maryland score from 93 to 96 (mean, 95), and Kofoed score from 92 to 95 (mean, 94). There were no early complications such as fascial compartment syndrome, skin necrosis or infection. All fractures got united, with no complications like traumatic arthritis, muscle atrophy or screw loosening.Conclusion:Testified by the anatomical study, the plantar approach can be used to treat Lisfranc injury with poor dorsalis pedis soft tissue, metatarsal avulsion fracture or complicated multi-column lesions, leading to safe, effective and satisfactory clinical outcomes.
ABSTRACT
Objective:To investigate the safety and feasibility of modified pararectus abdominis approach in the anterior plate fixation of sacral fractures.Methods:In 5 fresh adult cadavers (3 males and 2 females), gross anatomy was performed on one pelvic side using a modified pararectus abdominis approach to clarify the anatomical structures around the approach. On the other side of the pelvis, the anterior structures of the sacrum were exposed in simulated anterior plate fixation of sacral fracture via the modified pararectus abdominis approach. The exposed anatomic range of the approach, and the locations and courses of lumbosacral trunk nerve and iliac vessels were observed and recorded.Results:(1) The modified pararectus abdominis approach exposed the whole S1 vertebral body from the sacroiliac joint to the medial side, the L5 vertebral body cephalally, the S1 foramina in the true pelvis, and the same structures laterally as a traditional pararectus abdominis approach did. (2) Via the modified pararectus abdominis approach, exploration and decompression of the lumbosacral plexus (from L4 to S1) (including S1 foraminoplasty) were performed under direct vision to decompress the nerve entrapment from anterior compressed fracture fragments and hyperplastic callus. (3) There was a safe surgical area in anterior L5 and S1 where a plate could be safely fixed to the S1 vertebral body. (4) Since the maximum vertical distance from the lumbosacral trunk nerve lifted above the periost to the sacral ala was 1.4 cm (range, from 1.2 to 1.5 cm), a plate could be safely placed from the subperiosteum to the S1 vertebral body to fix the fracture.Conclusions:The modified pararectus abdominis approach is safe and feasible for exploration and decompression of lumbosacral nerves in the anterior sacral region (from L4 to S1) because it has significant advantages in vision and operation. It also broadens the range of anterior sacral plate fixation because a sacral fracture displacement can be reduced under direct vision and a plate can be fixated to the S1 vertebral body along the alae sacralis and across the sacroiliac joint to the iliac bone.