Surgical Hip Dislocation for Exposure of the Posterior Column

Efficient hip joint distraction using the AO large femoral distractor in treating acetabular fractures associated with marginal impaction and intraarticular incarcerated fragments

PURPOSE

The results after acetabular fracture are primarily related to the quality of articular reduction. Using the AO large femoral distractor, incarcerated fragments can be easily removed, and marginally impacted fragments can be elevated under direct visualization without further re-dislocating the joint. The current study aimed to evaluate our early results of using the AO large femoral distractor as an assisting tool during ORIF of acetabular fractures associated with marginal impaction or intraarticular incarcerated fragments.

METHODS

Eighteen patients were included in this retrospective case series study diagnosed with an acetabular fracture associated with either marginal impaction injury or an intraarticular incarcerated fragment. On a usual operative table, all patients were operated upon in a prone position through the Kocher Langenbeck approach. The AO large femoral distractor was used to facilitate hip joint distraction. Postoperative fracture reduction and joint clearance were assessed in the immediate postoperative CT scans.

RESULTS

The average age of the patients was 30 ± 8.2 years; 13 (72.2%) were males. All cases had a posterior wall fracture, and it was associated with transverse fractures, posterior column fractures, and T-type fractures in five (27.8%), two (11.1%), and one (5.6%) patients, respectively. Intraarticular incarcerated fragments were present in 13 (72.2%) cases and marginal impaction in five (27.8%). Fracture reduction measured on the postoperative CT scans showed an anatomical reduction in 14 (77.8%) patients, imperfect in four (22.2%), and complete clearance of the hip joint of any incarcerated fragments.

CONCLUSION

The use of the AO large femoral distractor is a reliable and reproducible technique that can be applied to assist in the removal of incarcerated intraarticular fragments and to ease the reduction of marginally impacted injuries associated with acetabular fractures.

Exploring the uncharted: Missing anatomical names in the Terminologia Anatomica

Effective communication and precise navigation within the intricacies of the human body rely on robust anatomical terminology. Since its creation by the Federative Committee on Anatomical Terminology (FCAT), the Terminologia Anatomica (TA 1998) has consistently served as the benchmark in the field. However, the constant advancement of anatomical knowledge requires regular revisions, updates, and enhancements of anatomical nomenclature to accommodate the latest scientific discoveries. The recent adoption of the second edition of Terminologia Anatomica (TA 2019) by the International Federation of Associations of Anatomists (IFAA) has drawn attention to certain notable omissions. Despite over a century of dedicated work establishing standard anatomical terminology, specific widely recognized gross anatomical structures are still absent from the official listing in the Terminologia Anatomica. There is, however, a consensus that the inclusion of names for trivial or variably present structures should be avoided. Accordingly, this article focuses on a thoughtfully selected group of anatomical structures, which are so important that they are routinely discussed during anatomy courses, despite their exclusion from the official lists of anatomical terms. These basic structures hold fundamental importance for both anatomy education and clinical practice. Consequently, their appropriate nomenclature warrants consideration for inclusion in future editions of TA.

A Swollen Inferior Gemellus Muscle with Hematoma Mimics Sciatica—A Case Report

Extra-spinal causes of sciatic pain are normally underdiagnosed, as they are extremely uncommon. Although pyriformis syndrome is recognized as one of the main causes of sciatic pain, other pelvic muscles that could cause sciatic pain are often overlooked. The present article describes a swollen inferior gemellus muscle with hematoma initially diagnosed with ultrasonography and later confirmed with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. Ultrasound revealed a swollen muscle with hematoma between the ischial tuberosity and the medial surface of the greater trochanter of the femur. MRI scan showed edematous change with an increased enhancement of the right inferior gemellus muscle. Ultrasound could be used to diagnose inferior gemellus pathology, but the muscle is easy to miss. Therefore, MRI could be preferred for conditions that impact deep or large areas in confirming inferior gemellus pathology.

Surgical hip dislocation in fixation of acetabular fractures: Extended indications and outcome

BACKGROUND

Surgical hip dislocation has been described as an excellent method for reduction and fixation of acetabular fractures. It allows a 360-degree access to the acetabulum and acetabular dome. However, reproducibility of this technique is still a concern. The primary outcome of this study was to investigate the short term functional and radiological outcome with the use of surgical hip dislocation in acetabular fractures. The secondary outcome was to describe different indications and methods of reduction using this technique.

METHODS

This is a retrospective consecutive case series for the use of surgical hip dislocation in acetabular fractures. Between July 2013 and February 2017, we used this technique to manage 36 cases of acetabular fractures. Two patients were lost to follow up leaving 34 patients eligible for the study. All surgeries were done by a 5-years and a 10-years' experience surgeons in pelvic and acetabular trauma surgeries. Through Gibson approach, we used the technique of surgical hip dislocation as described by the Bernese group. Different methods of fracture reduction were used. Intraoperative grading of cartilage injury was done using Disler's grading system. Postoperative fracture reduction was evaluated using the criteria described by Matta. Clinical evaluation was done using the modified Merle d'Aubigne ́ and Postel system.

RESULTS

The mean intra-operative blood loss was about 700 ± 35.4 ml. The mean units of blood transfused were 1 ± 0.1 unit. The mean surgical time was 135 ± 11.7 minutes. Anatomical reduction was achieved in 27 patients (79.4%). At a mean of 30 ± 16.8 months (median = 26 and IQR 22) follow up, the functional score was excellent in 5 (14.7 %), very good in 8 (23.5%), good in 9 (26.5%), fair in 2 (5.8%), and poor in 10 (29.4%) patients. Four patients (11.7%) developed AVN at a mean of 8 months postoperatively. Conversion to THA was done in 5 patients (14,7%). Trochanteric osteotomy showed osseous healing in all cases. No patient developed nerve injury or infection. One patient developed severe (grade III) heterotopic ossification.

CONCLUSIONS

Besides the indications of surgical hip dislocation mentioned before as reduction of the anterior column in T and Transverse fractures, associated femoral head fractures, intraarticular fragments, and labral injuries, it can be used in other indications as entrapped posterior wall, roof impaction, pure impaction injuries and cranial extension of the posterior wall fractures. The technique is reproducible; however, the learning curve is steep and needs to be performed by experienced acetabular trauma surgeons.

[Application of new H-shaped anatomical titanium plate for posterior wall/posterior column acetabular fractures]

Objective

To explore the effectiveness of a new H-shaped anatomical titanium plate in treatment of posterior wall/posterior column acetabular fractures.

Methods

Between March 2012 and April 2019, 46 patients with acetabular fractures involving posterior wall/posterior column were treated with the new H-shaped anatomical titanium plates. There were 28 males and 18 females. The age ranged from 20 to 70 years, with an average of 45.5 years. Among the patients, 34 cases were injured by traffic accidents and 12 cases by falling from height. The time from injury to operation ranged from 2 to 14 days, with an average of 7 days. According to Letournel-Judet classification, there were 12 cases of posterior wall fractures, 1 case of posterior column fracture, 3 cases of transverse fractures, 9 cases of transverse fractures involving posterior walls, 8 cases of posterior column and posterior wall fractures, 2 cases of anterior column and posterior semi-transverse fractures, 3 cases of T-shaped fractures, and 8 cases of double column fractures. Matta reduction standard was used to evaluate fracture reduction and Merle d'Aubign-Postel score was used to evaluate hip joint function.

Results

All operations were successfully completed. The time of posterior operation was 60-120 minutes, with an average of 80 minutes. The amount of intraoperative blood loss ranged from 200 to 600 mL, with an average of 300 mL. All the incisions healed by first intention and no infection, deep vein thrombosis, or sciatic nerve injury occurred. All 46 patients were followed up 6-72 months, with an average of 37 months. According to Matta reduction standard, 40 cases obtained anatomic reduction, 4 cases satisfactory reduction, 2 cases unsatisfactory reduction, and the satisfaction rate was 95.7% (44/46). All fractures healed, and the healing time was 3-6 months, with an average of 4.3 months. No internal fixation failure occurred during the follow-up. At last follow-up, the Merle d'Aubign-Postel score ranged from 6 to 18 (mean, 15.5), including 38 cases of excellent, 4 cases of good, 2 cases of fair, and 2 cases of poor, with an excellent and good rate of 91.3% (42/46). Heterotopic ossification occurred in 4 cases, traumatic arthritis in 4 cases, and osteonecrosis of femoral head in 2 cases after operation.

Conclusion

For acetabular fractures involving posterior wall/posterior column, the new H-shaped anatomical titanium plate can provide stable fixation, satisfactory reduction, and good recovery of hip function.

Surgical management of acetabular fractures - A contemporary literature review

Surgical management of acetabular fractures is now commonplace for almost all displaced or unstable fractures. Over the last 20 years however, the patient population has aged, and there have been significant changes to safety in motor vehicles and the work-place, and people's activity types and levels have changed. The surgical specialty has also developed with time, and as a result acetabular fracture surgery today is different to 20 years ago. We have repeated a meta-analysis originally published by Giannoudis et al in 2005, to evaluate contemporary aspects of acetabular fracture patients, injury mechanisms, management, complications and functional outcomes. This paper compares data from the last 15 years to that published in 2005. We have analysed a total of 8389 fractures from 8372 patients. The mean patient age has risen from 38.6 to 45.2. A change in injury mechanisms is seen, with road traffic accidents now accounting for 66.5% of cases (previously over 80%), and a rise in the number of fractures caused by falls from 10.7 to 25.8%. There has been a marked change in the fracture types seen, with a significant rise in anterior column-based fractures (Anterior column and Anterior column posterior hemi-transverse), whilst all other fracture patterns have fallen over time. Surgery is now taking place earlier, the Kocher-Langenbeck and Ilioinguinal approaches remain the major surgical approaches used, but the Anterior Intra-Pelvic approach has become relatively common. The most significant change in complications is a substantial drop in iatrogenic nerve damage, particularly to the sciatic nerve. Post-traumatic osteoarthritis remains the major complication of this injury, with 16.9% of cases developing Matta grade III/IV changes by 44 months in this review. Heterotopic ossification also remains a common problem. Despite these changes over time, functional outcomes after acetabular fracture appear to remain similar, although there is still a lack of good quality data on medium and longer-term functional outcomes from which to assess this.