The efficacy of an anti-protrusio plate in patients with anterior column posterior hemitransverse and associated both column acetabular fractures.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Acetabular fractures in the elderly population are particularly challenging for orthopedic fracture surgeons to treat. Anterior column posterior hemitransverse (ACH) and both column (BC) fractures account for over 70% of these injuries in geriatric patients. Nonoperative management of these injuries has a mortality of about 79% and patients generally have a minimal chance of return to independent living. The aim of our study was to identify the degree of protrusio deformity geriatric patients with these injuries present with and if indirect reduction through a Stoppa approach was sufficient to improve protrusio deformity. METHODS: Patients older than 60 years of age who had ACH and BC pattern acetabular fractures treated at the BIDMC in Boston, MA between 2015 and 2020 were included in this study. Pelvic AP and Judet views were reviewed at injury and each available post-operative follow up. We modified the femoral head extrusion index and used its inverse to measure the level of protrusio at each time point (-FHEI). Patient outcomes were also graded as excellent, good, fair and poor based on post-operative follow up. RESULTS: Sixteen patients were included based on above criteria and average -FHEI at injury was 34.85% and decreased significantly to an average of 21.5% postoperatively and remained stable at all follow up points. At one year follow up (n = 2), the mean -FHEI was 18.15%. Most patients had good (4) or excellent (9) outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: We present short term results of indirect reduction of ACH and BC acetabular fractures in geriatric patients using a PRO quadrilateral surface plate, which was largely successful in controlling the primary protrusio deformity seen in these patients. This allowed for restoration of the anterior column, with limited surgical morbidity through a relatively simple and straightforward surgical approach.