Open reduction and internal fixation via anterior approaches for the geriatric acetabular fractures / 中华创伤骨科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To evaluate open reduction and internal fixation via the anterior approaches in the treatment of geriatric acetabular fractures.Methods:Retrospectively analyzed were the clinical data of 74 consecutive patients with acetabular fracture who had been treated by open reduction and internal fixation via the anterior approaches from June 2018 to December 2020. The patients were divided into 2 groups. In the geriatric group (≥65 years old) 16 patients [8 males and 8 females with an age of (74.0±5.9) years]; 7 both column fractures, 4 anterior column fractures, and 5 anterior column plus posterior hemi-transverse fractures according to the Letournel-Judet classification; time from injury to operation (6.1±3.4) d. In the young group (<65 years old) 58 patients [48 males and 10 females with an age of (46.7±10.9) years]; 28 both column fractures, 14 anterior column fractures, 8 anterior column plus posterior hemi-transverse fractures, 5 T type fractures and 3 transverse fractures; time from injury to operation (5.4±2.7) d. The 2 groups were compared in terms of operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative reduction, operative complications, and functional results.Results:The 2 groups were comparable because there was no significant difference in the preoperative general data like fracture Letournel-Judet classification or dome impaction between them ( P>0.05). The intraoperative blood loss in the geriatric group was (715.6±285.0) mL, significantly less than that in the young group [(1,008.6±463.9) mL]( P<0.05). In the geriatric and young groups, respectively, the operation time was (167.2±44.3) min and (172.9±56.6) min, 3 and 6 cases had main operative complications, the good to excellent rate of postoperative reduction was 87.5% (14/16) and 84.5% (49/58), and the follow-up time was (26.6±10.7) months and (23.6±10.1) months, all showing no significant difference ( P>0.05). According to the improved Merle d'Aubigné & Postel scoring system, the hip function at the last follow-up was evaluated as excellent in 5 cases, as good in 10 cases, and as fair in 1 case in the geriatric group while as excellent in 21 cases, as good in 33 cases, and as fair in 2 cases (the other 2 cases were lost) in the young group, showing no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups ( P>0.05). Conclusion:Open reduction and internal fixation via the anterior approaches is as safe and effective for the geriatric patients with acetabular fracture as for the young and middle-aged ones.