Calcaneal plate bridge reconstruction plate for acetabular fracture involving quadrilateral surface via modified Stoppa approach

Objective To explore the effectiveness of the calcaneal plate bridge reconstruction plate for acetabular fracture involving quadrilateral surface via modified Stoppa approach. Methods Between January 2015 and December 2017, 18 patients with acetabular fracture involving quadrilateral surface were treated with the calcaneal plate bridge reconstruction plate via the modified Stoppa approach. There were 12 males and 6 females. The age ranged from 28 to 63 years (mean, 39 years). The cause of injury was traffic accident in 13 cases and falling from height in 5 cases. According to the Letournel-Judet classification, there were 10 cases of anterior and posterior column fractures, 6 cases of T-shaped fractures, and 2 cases of anterior column and posterior semi-transevere fractures. The interval from injury to operation was 6 to 24 days (mean, 8.6 days). The reduction quality was assessed by postoperative X-ray film and CT according to the criteria proposed by Matta. The hip joint function was assessed by the modified Merled'Aubigne-Postel score. Results The operation time was 120-240 minutes (mean, 165 minutes) and the intraoperative blood loss was 600-1 400 mL (mean, 850 mL). All patients were followed up 18-30 months (mean, 24.5 months). There were 2 cases of the fat liquefaction of abdominal incisions, 3 cases of intraoperative injury of lateral femoral cutaneous nerve, 1 case of lower limb thrombosis, and 1 case of abdominal pain and hematuria due to intraoperative accidental bladder injury. According to the criteria proposed by Matta, the reduction quality rated as anatomic reduction in 12 cases, satisfactory reduction in 5 cases, and unsatisfied reduction in 1 case, and the satisfaction rate was 94.4%. All fractures healed with the healing time of 3-5 months (mean, 3.4 months). During follow-up, no internal fixator loosening, breakage, or fracture displacement occurred. At last follow-up, according to modified Merled'Aubigne-Postel score, hip joint functions rated as excellent in 11 cases, good in 4 cases, fair in 2 cases, and poor in 1 case. The excellent and good rate was 83.3%. Conclusion Application of calcaneal plate bridge reconstruction plate via the modified Stoppa approach for the acetabular fracture involving the quadrilateral surface can obtain satisfactory effectiveness.