The treatment of femoral head fractures (Pipkin type Ⅰ and Ⅱ) via medial hip approach / 中华骨科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the clinical results and summarize the advantages and surgical indications in the treatment of femoral head fractures (Pipkin type Ⅰ and Ⅱ) via medial hip approach.Methods From October 2014 to August 2015,sixteen patients of femoral head fracture (Pipkin type Ⅰ and Ⅱ) surgically treated via medial hip approach were retrospectively analyzed in our Hospital.There were 13 males and 3 females with an average age of 44.8 years (range,22-62 years old).According to Pipkin classification,12 femoral head fractures were classified as type Ⅰ and 4 type Ⅱ.Thirteen patients were injured by traffic accidents,two patients by falling down from height and one patient was injured by collapses of a heavy objective.All femoral head fractures were combined with posterior hip dislocation.The skeletal traction was performed in each patient after successful close reduction of the hip joint under general anesthesia.Computed Tomography scans of hip joints were performed routinely.All femoral head fractures were fixed with absorbable screws via medial hip approach.The mean time from injury to operation was 5.3 days (range,2-14 days).Results The average duration of the operations was 75 min (range,60-110 min).The average length of incisions was 7.1 cm (range,6-9 cm).The average blood loss was 160 ml (range,80-300 ml).All the patients were followed up for an average period of 26.3 months (range,24 to 30 months).Eight femoral head fractures with Pipkin Ⅰ and three with Pipkin Ⅱ were union and the healing time was 3-12 months,with an average time of 8.8 months.Three femoral head fractures with Pipkin Ⅰ were incomplete union at the latest follow-up of 24 months after surgery.One femoral head fracture with Pipkin Ⅰ and one with Pipkin Ⅱ didn't get union at the latest follow-up of 24 months after surgery.According to Thompson and Epstein function evaluation,the clinical outcomes were rated as excellent in 12 cases,good in 1,fair in 3.The excellent and good rate was 81.3％ (13/16).According to Merled'Aubigne-Postel evaluation criterion,there were 13 cases excellent,1 good and 2 fair.The excellent and good rate was 87.5％ (14/16).There were no intraoperative complications in all patients such as neurovascular injury injuries.No incision infection,fat liquefaction and other incision related complications occurred postoperatively.Avascular necrosis of the affected femoral head occurred in one case whose symptom didn't aggravate after appropriate conservation.Fractures were nonunion in 2 cases but the patients' functions were satisfactory in daily living.Traumatic arthritis of the affected hip occurred in 2 cases.The patients felt uncomfortable with long walking but could get better after taking NSAIDs.The fracture fragment absorption occurred in 3 cases but these patients had a good function and needed no further treatment.Conclusion Good exposure could be achieved for reduction and fixation in the treatment of femoral head fractures (Pipkin Ⅰ、Ⅱ) via hip medial approach.The operation is a minimally invasive procedure and the treatment outcome is satisfactory,but the indication should be strictly controlled.