RESUMO
Objective:To explore the technical points and efficacy of gradual traction-unlocking closed reduction technique (GT-UCRT) for Tile C old pelvic fractures.Methods:From August 2012 to June 2021, 6 patients with Tile C old pelvic fracture were treated and followed up at Department of Orthopedics, The Fourth Medical Center, General Hospital of Chinese PLA. They were 4 males and 2 females with an age of (35.8±10.5) years. By Tile classification: 4 cases of type C1.2, 1 case of type C1.3, and 1 case of type C2; time from injury to surgery: 153.8 (64.3, 204.8) days. The 6 patients were treated with GT-UCRT. The time for gradual traction reduction, operation time, hospital stay, intraoperative blood loss and complications were recorded. The modified Matta score was used to evaluate the reduction quality of pelvic fractures, and the Majeed score was used to evaluate the pelvic function at the last follow-up.Results:The 6 patients were followed up for (40.3±22.9) months (from 12 to 72 months) after surgery. The time for gradual traction reduction was (26.7±4.6) days, operation time (119.2±4.6) minutes, hospital stay (11.5±2.9) days, and intraoperative blood loss (533.3±189.6) mL. By the modified Matta score, the pelvic reduction after surgery was rated as satisfactory in 5 cases and as unsatisfactory in 1 case. The length disparity between both lower limbs in the 6 patients was (6.9±1.6) cm before surgery and (1.0±0.4) cm immediately after surgery, showing a statistically significant difference ( t=11.135, P<0.001). One fracture healed 3 months after surgery and 5 fractures 6 months after surgery. The Majeed pelvic score at the last follow-up was (80.8±9.0) points for the 6 patients, yielding 2 excellent cases, 3 good cases and 1 fair case. Delayed wound healing was reported in 1 patient, calf intermuscular venous thrombosis in 2 cases, and emotional anxiety and sleep disorder in 1 patient. No new lumbosacral plexus injury was found in any patient. Conclusions:In the treatment of Tile C old pelvic fractures, since our self-designed GT-UCRT combines the advantages of Ilizarov technique and unlocking closed reduction technique, it can not only protect the lumbosacral plexus but also obtain satisfactory reduction of the fracture.