Comparison of the Radiological Outcomes of an Anatomical Quadrilateral Surface Plate with a Pelvic Reconstruction Plate in Acetabulum Fractures

ABSTRACT

Purpose@#This study compared the radiological outcomes of fixation using an anatomical quadrilateral surface plate with those using a traditional pelvic reconstruction plate for fractures involving the quadrilateral surface or superomedial wall of the acetabulum. @*Materials and Methods@#From 2015 to 2022, 47 patients who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were analyzed retrospectively. Internal fixation of an acetabular fracture was achieved with a pelvic reconstruction plate (n=28) or an anatomical quadrilateral surface plate (n=19). The ability to achieve immediate postoperative anatomical reduction and the long-term outcomes were assessed by confirming the arthritic changes. Immediate postoperative reduction quality and long-term radiological outcomes for post-traumatic arthritis were assessed using the Matta scoring system on standard radiographs. @*Results@#The assessment of immediate postoperative reduction in the pelvic reconstruction plate group was satisfactory in 16 patients (57.1%) and unsatisfactory in 12 patients (42.9%). In the anatomical quadrilateral surface plate group, the results were satisfactory in 16 patients (84.2%) and unsatisfactory in 3 patients (15.8%). When evaluating over an extended follow-up period in the pelvic reconstruction plate group, 19 patients (67.9%) demonstrated satisfactory, while 9 patients (32.1%) had unsatisfactory outcomes. In the anatomical quadrilateral surface plate group, 12 patients (63.2%) achieved satisfactory, and 7 patients (36.8%) had unsatisfactory outcomes. The immediate postoperative reduction quality was superior in the anatomical quadrilateral surface plate group (p=0.03). Comparing longterm results, the anatomical quadrilateral surface plate group did not have statistically more favorable outcomes (p=0.49). @*Conclusion@#In this study, the anatomical quadrilateral surface plate achieved sufficiently good radiological results without significant difference from the existing pelvic reconstruction plate. It was concluded that it is a useful option that can replace the existing metal plate in the selection of surgery for acetabular fractures.