Spring Plates as a Valid Additional Fixation in Comminuted Posterior Wall Acetabular Fractures: A Retrospective Multicenter Study

Abstract

Background: The posterior wall fracture is the most frequent pattern of acetabular fractures. Many techniques of fixation have been described in the literature and involve plates, screws, or a combination of both. This study aims to investigate the clinical and radiological outcomes of spring plates in the treatment of comminuted posterior wall acetabular fractures. (2) Methods: A retrospective multicenter (four level I trauma centers) observational study was performed. Patients with a comminuted posterior wall acetabular fracture treated with a spring plate (DePuy Synthes, West Chester, PA) were included. Diagnosis was made according to the Judet and Letournel classification. Diagnosis was confirmed with plain radiographs in an antero-posterior view and Judet views, iliac and obturator oblique views, and thin-slice CT with multiplanar reconstructions. (3) Results: Forty-six patients (34 males and 12 females) with a mean age of 51.7 years (range 19–73) were included. The most common mechanism of injury was motor vehicle accident (34 cases). In all cases, spring plates were placed under an overlapping reconstruction plate. The mean follow-up was 33.4 months (range 24–48). The mean period without weight-bearing was 4.9 weeks (range 4–7), and full weight-bearing was allowed at an average of 8.2 weeks (range 7–11) after surgery. (4) Conclusions: According to the present data, spring plates can be considered a viable additional fixation of the posterior wall acetabular fractures.

Comparison of 2 different fixation techniques of comminuted acetabular quadrilateral surface fractures using square bracket-shaped tubular plate or interfragmentary screws in addition to supra/infrapectineal plate fixation: An observational study

“…In a study by De Mauro et al involving 46 patients, successful results were obtained using Spring plates and it was concluded that these plates can be used as additional support in posterior fractures. [18] In cases where suprapectineal and/or infrapectineal plate fixation may not be sufficient to preserve the reduction of the QLS, we used interfragmentary screws or square bracket-shaped tubular plates to conserve the reduction in addition to suprapectineal and/or infrapectineal reconstruction plate fixation. [14] In comminuted fractures of the QLS, an infrapectineal plate is usually placed using a modified Stoppa approach to reconstruct the QLS.…”

“…In a study by De Mauro et al involving 46 patients, successful results were obtained using Spring plates and it was concluded that these plates can be used as additional support in posterior fractures. [ 18 ]…”

Role of bariatric surgery in reducing periprosthetic joint infections in total knee arthroplasty. A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…The correct outcome to evaluate the risk of septic failures was chosen according to the data found in the Literature. First endpoint was to assess periprosthetic joint infection rates, considering it as the mean diagnosis when it comes to septic complications [ 29 ]. Surgical site infections, instead, were less related to actual septic failure, but the available data allowed us to use this information to better define the impact of bariatric surgery as prevention of infections in joint arthroplasty.…”

Triangular osteosynthesis and lumbopelvic fixation as a valid surgical treatment in posterior pelvic ring lesions: a systematic review

“…Two studies ( 15 , 27 ) did not report neither malunion nor nerve impairment after surgery. The main limitation of TOS technique is that it requires a highly skilled surgeon specialized in the treatment of pelvic ring fractures as it is a very complicated procedure ( 35 , 36 ).…”