ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: It remains poorly understood whether anterior column quadrilateral wing plate exists to solve intraoperative multiple plastic and quadrilateral in vivo shift for treating acetabular anterior column and acetabular quadrilateral body fractures.OBJECTIVE: To figure out the promising application on measurement of anatomical character parameters when designing acetabular anterior column and acetabular quadrilateral body using Mimics software. METHODS: 60 pelvic CT scan data were collected and three-dimensionally reconstructed by Mimics software. The following anatomical character parameters were measured, including the angle between plane of arcuate line of true pelvis and plane of quadrilateral surface, the four boundary lines of quadrilateral body, and the thickness of substance of bone in quadrilateral region. The projection curve on quadrilateral surface of acetabular margin and dangerous zone for screw placement were both drew. Above all, the study attempted to find out the proper safe entry point of quadrilateral screw and to measure their leaning inside angles.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) The angle between plane of arcuate line of true pelvis and plane of quadrilateral surface was not significantly different between males and females. (2) The minimum thickness of quadrilateral body in males was larger than that in females. (3) The maximum leaning angle flapper plate screw P1 and P2 for quadrilateral body was significantly smaller in males than in females, but that of screw P3 was not significantly different between males and females. (4) The application of Mimics software made it easier, more intuitive and more practical for the design or development of new plate for acetabular anterior column and acetabular quadrilateral body. The common points and difference between acetabular anterior column and acetabular quadrilateral body could be specifically described by the new anatomical character parameters, which are defined by bone surface features of pelvis.