Minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis for anterior pelvic ring fractures: a finite element analysis and clinical study / 中华创伤杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the mechanical stability and clinical outcome of minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis of pubic ramus fractures.Methods Stability of minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis and traditional open fixation of pubic ramus fractures was compared in finite element analysis.A retrospective analysis was performed on fractures of pubic rami (126 sides) in 101 consecutive patients treated with minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis from 2005 to 2012.Operation time,intraoperative blood loss and follow-up of fracture healing were evaluated.Results In finite element analysis,traditional open fixation and minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis resulted in the maximum pelvic force of 7.35 MPa and 5.59 MPa,maximum fracture displacement of 4.31 mm and 4.38 mm and relative fracture gap displacement of 0.029 mm and 0.012 mm.Displacement of fracture gap after minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis and traditional open fixation was reduced 26％ and 59％ respectively.In the clinical study,the surgery acquired for pubic ramus fractures averaged 65 minutes with mean blood loss of 94 ml.Follow-up duration was 5-50 months (mean,24.3 months).Reduction of the fracture as assessed using Matta' s criteria was excellent in 118 sides (93.7％),good in eight sides (6.3％).Totally,the fracture was healed within postoperative 12 weeks in 117 sides and within postoperative 6 months in 9 sides.No iatrogenic nerve or vascular injury occurred.Conclusions Minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis is a safe and effective technique for fixation of pubic ramus fractures.Moreover,satisfactory results can be achieved together with less trauma and better cosmetic effect.