Correlative factors influencing acetabular fracture associated with femoral nerve injury / 中华创伤杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To improve the effect of clinical diagnosis and treatment of acetabular fracture with a femoral nerve injury by analyzing the causes of femoral nerve injury following acetabular fractures.Methods From January 1996 to November 2004,146 cases of acetabular fractures were treated operatively.Six cases of them were complicated with femoral nerve injury.The causes of femoral nerve injury were analyzed on the basis of clinical manifestations,CT scan and 3-dimensional reconstruc- tion.All the cases were classified according to Letournel and Judet classification.Three cases had hema- toma compression (2 cases with double column fractures and 1 with transverse-posterior wall fractures);2 cases had femoral nerve injury caused by fracture fragments (1 case with anterior wall fracture following anterior hip dislocation,the another with old fracture of anterior column combined with fracture of superior ramus of pubis);and one case had anterior column fracture combined with fracture of wing of ilium,and the femoral nerve was injured by traction in operation.Clearance of hematoma,nerve tract decompression and epineuria solution were performed in 5 cases,and 1 case was treated conservatively.Results The average follow-up period was 1.8 years(ranging from 1 to 3 years).The muscle power of quadriceps fem- oris recovered from 1-2 grade before operation to 4-5 grade after operation in 5 cases.The function of ex- tensor knee and gait was normal.The function of sensory completely recovered in 4 cases.One case was followed up for 2 years,which showed the patient still suffered from hypoesthesia in the lower 2/3 of the thigh and the medial of the leg.One ease of traction injury was followed up for 1.2 years,showing the muscle power recovered to normal,but still presented with sensory disability.Conclusion Acetabular fractures associated with femoral nerve injury are rare.For complex acetabular fractures and severe trau- ma,attention should be given to the possibility of femoral nerve injury.Fragment stabbing and compres- sion of hematoma around iliopsoas muscle are the common causes of femoral nerve injury following ace- tabular fractures.Iatrogenic injury should not be ignored.