Fix and replace; an emerging paradigm for treating acetabular fractures

Outcomes of acetabular fractures treated with acute fix and replace versus open reduction and internal fixation in elderly population: a multicentric retrospective study

Purpose

The optimal operative treatment for displaced acetabular fractures in elderly population is still object of debate. Acute fix and replace procedure, the so called “combined hip procedure” (CHP), was introduced because of the poor results of the open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) alone. The aim of the study is to compare clinical outcomes of CHP and ORIF alone for the treatment of acetabular fractures in elderly patients.

Methods

This is the largest multicentric retrospective analytical study, with a case–control design on the issue. Hospital records and clinical notes were reviewed to collect demographic, peri-operative, and clinical data.

Results

A total of 45 patients met the inclusion criteria: 24 patients entered the CHP group whereas 21 entered the ORIF control group. The mean age was 69.5 +  − 1.12 years in the ORIF group and 73.4 +  − 1.84 in the control group. The most frequent traumatic mechanism was the fall from same level in both groups (37.5% CHP; 42.9% ORIF). Operating time was significantly lower in the CHP group compared to the ORIF group (207 +  − 11.0 ORIF; 175 +  − 9.16 CHP; p < 0.05). Moreover, full weight-bearing was allowed significantly earlier in the CHP group compared to ORIF alone (37.3 +  − 1.59 ORIF; 32.5 +  − 1.69 CHP; p < 0.05). Among the clinician-completed scores, the HHS at three months was higher in the CHP group (66.3 +  − 1.83 ORIF;73.6 +  − 2.09 CHP; p < 0.05). All the other clinical outcomes were similar in both study groups.

Conclusion

CHP is desirable treatment option in elderly patients with acetabular fracture when there are poor expected outcomes in terms of joint survival with ORIF alone.

Outcomes of acute fix and replace in complex hip posterior fracture dislocations with acetabular fractures : a minimum of 3 years follow-up

Simultaneous open reduction and internal fixation of acetabular fractures combined with total hip replacement (THR) have some potential advantages over the more traditional approach in specific patient subgroups. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of patients who had the "fix and replace" construct for complex posterior hip fracture dislocation treated at our tertiary referral pelvic unit. This was a retrospective review of prospectively collected data for patients who underwent this procedure between 2011-2018 with a minimum of 3 year follow up. Data collected were: patient demographics, date of injury, injury pattern, fixation methods, type of implants used and post-operative complications. There were 14 patients with a mean age of 63.2 years (range 43-94 years) who underwent this procedure between 2011-2018. The mean follow up was 58 months. All cases involved a posterior wall fracture and six cases had an associated posterior column involvement. Femoral head autograft was used in 13 patients (93%). Six patients (43%) had their posterior acetabular wall reconstructed with a femoral head autograft. Seven patients had a fully cemented (THR) and the seven others had a hybrid implant. There were no surgical related complications. From our study we can conclude that the acute "fix and replace" construct for complex posterior hip fracture dislocation yields good clinical outcomes in the short and medium term with low complication rate. It is best performed by a surgeon who specialises in both acetabular and hip arthroplasty surgery.

Acetabular fractures in the elderly: modern challenges and the role of conservative management

Introduction 

The incidence of acetabular fractures in the elderly population is ever increasing. While management of acetabular fractures in young patients following high-energy trauma is well described, treatment of the elderly patient subgroup is complex and requires a unique, individualized approach. A variety of treatment strategies including operative and non-operative approaches exists to manage this vulnerable patient group. Conservative management of acetabular fractures in the elderly continues to play an important role in treatment of both stable fracture patterns and those medically unfit for surgery.

Aim 

This review assessing the current literature was undertaken with the purpose of summarising the challenges of management in this at-risk cohort as well as quantifying the role and outcomes following conservative management in the elderly.

 Conclusion

Our recommendation is that conservative management of acetabular fractures in the elderly can be considered as a treatment option on a case-by-case basis accounting for patient, injury, and surgical factors. If it is to be pursued, we advise a multidisciplinary approach focused on early mobility, minimisation of risk and regular follow-up to optimise patient outcomes.

Management of acetabular fractures in elderly patients

Management of acetabular fractures in elderly patients is challenging. The challenges arise due to associated medical comorbidities, poor bone quality and comminution. There are multiple modalities of treatment. the exact algorithms or treatment remain undefined. Treatment is still based on experience and some available evidence. The options include conservative treatment, percutaneous fixation, open reduction internal fixation and the acute fix and replace procedure. There is a well recognised risk of each treatment option. We present a narrative review of the relevant available evidence and our treatment principles based on experience from a regional tertiary pelvic-acetabular fracture service.

Total hip arthroplasty in acetabular fractures

Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA) is a well-accepted treatment for established hip arthritis following acetabular fractures. If a conservatively managed or operated case progresses to non-union/mal-union failing to restore the joint integrity, it may eventually develop secondary arthritis warranting a total hip arthroplasty. Also, in recent years, acute total hip arthroplasty is gaining importance in conditions where the fracture presents with pre-existing hip arthritis, is not amenable to salvage by open reduction and internal fixation, or, a poor prognosis is anticipated following fixation. There are several surgical challenges in performing total hip arthroplasty for acetabular fractures whether acute or delayed. As a separate entity elderly patients pose a distinct challenge due to osteoporosis and need stable fixation for early weight bearing alleviating the risk of any thromboembolic event, pulmonary complications and decubitus ulcer. The aim of surgery is to restore the columns for acetabular component implantation rather than anatomic fixation. Meticulous preoperative planning with radiographs and Computed Tomography (CT) scans, adequate exposure to delineate the fracture pattern, and, availability of an array of all instruments and possible implants as backup are the key points for success. Previous implants if any should be removed only if they are in the way of cup implantation or infected. Press fit uncemented modern porous metal acetabular component with multiple screw options is the preferred implant for majority of cases. However, complex fractures may require major reconstruction with revision THA implants especially when a pelvic discontinuity is present.

Bilateral lower limb ischaemia following acetabular reconstruction and arthroplasty

The incidence of acetabular fractures has increased markedly in patients over 60 in the last quarter of a century, with open reduction and internal fixation being regarded to be the treatment of choice in most patients with displaced acetabular fractures. Lower limb ischaemia following acetabular fixation or arthroplasty is rare. However, such complications can be limb or life threatening, and therefore, it is important to recognise them as early as possible. We present the case of a 70-year-old man with no significant medical history who underwent acetabular fixation with simultaneous arthroplasty complicated with bilateral lower limb ischaemia. We highlight the importance of having a high degree of suspicion which allows early diagnosis and corrective measures to be implemented which can ultimately lead to excellent outcome.

Dual mobility total hip dislocation-femoral stem loosening while attempting closed reduction: a cautionary note

A 77-year-old man sustained an acetabular fracture after falling from a staircase and landing on his right side. He fractured the anterior column of his acetabulum and the quadrilateral plate. He underwent a single-stage open reduction and internal fixation of the fracture combined with a dual mobility total hip arthroplasty (THA). He sustained a traumatic hip dislocation 1 month postoperatively. Closed reduction was attempted at another hospital, and the femoral stem was pulled out. We believe this was caused by the polyliner being hitched either to the acetabular cup or in the soft tissues around the ilium. We present this case to caution orthopaedic surgeons that dual mobility THA dislocations are difficult to diagnose as the polyliner is not clearly seen on X-rays, and reduction attempts may lead to worsening of an already difficult situation.