Modified subinguinal approach for treatment of acetabular anterior column and wall fractures / 中华创伤骨科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To discuss the efficacy of the modified subinguinal approach for the treatment of acetabular anterior column and wall fractures.Methods A clinical retrospective study was performed of the 5 patients who had been treated at our department from January 2011 to April 2015 for acetabular anterior column and wall fractures and conformed to follow-ups.They were 3 males and 2 females,aged from 19 to 45 years (mean,35.6 years).The duration from injury to surgery averaged 7.6 days (range,from 4 to 10 days).The subinguinal ligament approach was adopted in the 5 cases,through which the inguinal ligament was preserved intact after sharp dissection of its insertion at the anterior superior iliac spine and medial-upper advancement,the advantage of expanded exposure of the first window by the Farid sub-ilioinguinal approach was retained,and additional lesions due to iliac osteotomy were avoided.The operation time,intraoperative bleeding,postoperative reduction and time for fracture union were documented.Merle d' Aubigne and Postel scoring system was used to assess the hip joint function of the affected limb at the final follow-ups.Results The operation time ranged from 110 to 150 minutes (mean,125 minutes);the intraoperative bleeding ranged from 415 to 550 mL (mean,450.2 mL).By the Matta's criteria,the postoperative reduction was rated as excellent in 4 cases and good in one.The 5 patients were followed up for an average of 32.4 months (range,from 6 to 43 months).Their fractures united clinically after an average of 4.6 months (range,from 3 to 6 months).The hip joint function was rated as excellent in 2 and good in 3 by the Merle d' Aubigne and Postel scoring system at the final follow-ups.Follow-ups observed no serious complications like inguinal hernia,internal fixation failure,myositis ossificans,or avascular necrosis of the femoral head.Conclusions As the modified subinguinal approach can provide a broad surgical exposure,lead to minimal injury to the inguinal ligament,avoid lesions caused by iliac osteotomy,and decrease operation time and bleeding,it may be a better approach for acetabular anterior column and wall fractures.