Objective:To assess the clinical outcomes of dual-approach bicondylar fixation under adjustable positioning for Schatzker type IV trans-midline tibial plateau fractures.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 52 patients with Schatzker type IV trans-midline tibial plateau fractures admitted to First Affiliated Hospital to Nanjing Medical University from January 2014 to August 2023, including 37 males and 15 females, aged 19-68 years [(42.3±14.0)years]. All the patients were treated with the surgical scheme of anterior and medial dual-approach bicondylar internal fixation under adjustable positioning. The operation duration, intraoperative blood loss, and fracture healing time were counted. X-ray films were reviewed at 2 days after surgery for residual knee subluxation. At 2 days, 3 and 6 months after surgery, and at the last follow-up, the tibial plateau angle (TPA) and posterior slope angle (PA) were measured with follow-up X-ray films to evaluate whether there was loss of reduction. The knee function was evaluated with the American Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) knee function score at 3 and 6 months after surgery and at the last follow-up. The anterior posterior displacement and rotation stability of the knee were evaluated with Lachman test and pivot-shift test at the last follow-up. The postoperative complications were recorded.Results:All the patients were followed up for 12-118 months [70(46, 85)months]. The operation duration was 100-180 minutes [145(120, 160)minutes], with intraoperative blood loss of 100-550 ml [(323.8±135.1)ml]. Fractures were healed well in all the patients, with the healing time of 2-4 months [3.0(2.4, 3.5)months]. None of the patients had residual subluxation by X-ray films at 2 days after surgery. There were no significant differences in TPA or PA at each time point after surgery ( P>0.05). The HSS knee function score was (69.4±4.9)points, (80.9±7.0)points, and (90.1±7.9)points at 3 and 6 months after surgery and at the last follow-up, respectively and the score gradually increased with the passage of time ( P<0.05). At the last follow-up, all the patients were negative in Lachman test and pivot-shift test. Three patients developed fat liquefaction around medial wounds after surgery, which were healed after dressing change. While the wounds were healed by first intention in the other patients. Postoperative complications such as knee instability, implant loosening, fracture or refracture not occurred. Conclusion:Dual-approach bicondylar fixation under adjustable positioning for Schatzker type IV trans-midline tibial plateau fractures has the advantages including high fracture healing rate, precise fracture reduction and fixation, satisfactory postoperative functional recovery and fewer complications, without increasing operation duration or intraoperative blood loss.

Objective:To assess the clinical outcomes of dual-approach bicondylar fixation under adjustable positioning for Schatzker type IV trans-midline tibial plateau fractures.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 52 patients with Schatzker type IV trans-midline tibial plateau fractures admitted to First Affiliated Hospital to Nanjing Medical University from January 2014 to August 2023, including 37 males and 15 females, aged 19-68 years [(42.3±14.0)years]. All the patients were treated with the surgical scheme of anterior and medial dual-approach bicondylar internal fixation under adjustable positioning. The operation duration, intraoperative blood loss, and fracture healing time were counted. X-ray films were reviewed at 2 days after surgery for residual knee subluxation. At 2 days, 3 and 6 months after surgery, and at the last follow-up, the tibial plateau angle (TPA) and posterior slope angle (PA) were measured with follow-up X-ray films to evaluate whether there was loss of reduction. The knee function was evaluated with the American Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) knee function score at 3 and 6 months after surgery and at the last follow-up. The anterior posterior displacement and rotation stability of the knee were evaluated with Lachman test and pivot-shift test at the last follow-up. The postoperative complications were recorded.Results:All the patients were followed up for 12-118 months [70(46, 85)months]. The operation duration was 100-180 minutes [145(120, 160)minutes], with intraoperative blood loss of 100-550 ml [(323.8±135.1)ml]. Fractures were healed well in all the patients, with the healing time of 2-4 months [3.0(2.4, 3.5)months]. None of the patients had residual subluxation by X-ray films at 2 days after surgery. There were no significant differences in TPA or PA at each time point after surgery ( P>0.05). The HSS knee function score was (69.4±4.9)points, (80.9±7.0)points, and (90.1±7.9)points at 3 and 6 months after surgery and at the last follow-up, respectively and the score gradually increased with the passage of time ( P<0.05). At the last follow-up, all the patients were negative in Lachman test and pivot-shift test. Three patients developed fat liquefaction around medial wounds after surgery, which were healed after dressing change. While the wounds were healed by first intention in the other patients. Postoperative complications such as knee instability, implant loosening, fracture or refracture not occurred. Conclusion:Dual-approach bicondylar fixation under adjustable positioning for Schatzker type IV trans-midline tibial plateau fractures has the advantages including high fracture healing rate, precise fracture reduction and fixation, satisfactory postoperative functional recovery and fewer complications, without increasing operation duration or intraoperative blood loss.

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of total laparoscopic technique in the treatment of pelvic and acetabular fractures.Methods:A total of 7 patients with pelvic and acetabular fractures admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from April 2017 to August 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 5 males and 2 females, aged 43.9±9.9 years (range, 27-56 years). There was 1 pelvic fracture (Tile B3) and 6 acetabular fractures, Letournel typing transverse in 2 cases, double column in 1 case, transverse combined anterior column in 1 case, anterior column in 1 case, and "T" shape in 1 case. The causes of injury included traffic accident in 4 cases, falling from height in 1 case, falling in 1 case, and heavy object injury in 1 case. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, iatrogenic injuries of blood vessels, nerves, bladder and rectum, and incidence of postoperative complications were recorded. Matta imaging criteria was used to evaluate the quality of fracture reduction, and the hip function was evaluated by modified Merle d'Aubigné-Postel score.Results:All 7 patients were successfully operated and followed up for 12.0 (7.0, 72.0) months (range, 7-77 months). The operation time was 251.1±80.2 min (range, 150.0-370.0 min), and the intraoperative blood loss was 100.0 (50.0, 300.0) ml (range, 50-350 ml). There was no nerve, blood vessel, bladder or rectum injury during operation. Postoperative pelvic X-ray and CT showed no internal fixation into the joint. Anatomic reduction was achieved in 5 cases and satisfactory reduction in 2 cases. One patient with a transverse acetabular fracture had a slight separation and displacement of the posterior column, but the acetabular articular surface was flat as a whole without obvious steps and was not fixed. One patient with pelvic fracture had a comminuted anterior pelvic ring with severe displacement and did not achieve anatomical repositioning intraoperatively, but the anterior pelvic ring was a non-intra-articular fracture, and the fracture ends were immobilized with bilateral plates, and the morphology and stability of the anterior pelvic ring recovered well after the operation. The Merle d'Aubigné - Postel score at the final follow-up was 18.0 (17.0, 18.0) points (range, 17.0-18.0 points), with 4 excellent and 3 good cases. All 7 patients achieved clinical healing with a healing time of 2.5 (2.5, 3.0) months (range, 1.0-3.0 months). No delayed union or nonunion occurred. At the last follow-up, there were no complications such as internal fixation fracture, incision and internal fixation infection, and deep vein thrombosis.Conclusion:Total laparoscopic technique for the treatment of pelvic and acetabular fractures has less intraoperative blood loss, less surgical trauma, and satisfactory clinical efficacy. It can be used as a new choice of minimally invasive treatment of pelvic and acetabular fractures.

Objective:To evaluate the iliofemoral approach and its modified approaches in the treatment of acetabular fractures involving the roof column and roof wall.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted to analyze the data of 19 patients who had been admitted to Department of Orthopaedics, The First Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University for acetabular fractures involving the roof column and roof wall from June 2015 to July 2023. There were 12 males and 7 females with an age of (53.5±15.6) years. By the three-column classification for the acetabular fractures, there were 2 cases of type A, 7 cases of type B, and 10 cases of type C. The time from injury to surgery was 6(5, 11) days. All patients underwent surgery through the iliofemoral approach or its modified approaches (the iliofemoral approach in 2 cases, the modified iliofemoral two-window approach in 13 cases, and the modified expanded iliofemoral two-window approach in 4 cases). All patients were fixated with plates and screws after reduction. The surgical time, intraoperative bleeding, complications, quality of fracture reduction, and hip joint function of the affected side were analyzed.Results:For all the 19 patients, the surgical time averaged (186.8±81.3) minutes, and the intraoperative bleeding volume 500(400, 600) mL. After acetabular fracture surgery, anatomical reduction was achieved in 13 cases and satisfactory reduction in 6 cases. The follow-up period for the 19 patients was (42.6±25.9) months. All acetabular fractures achieved bony union after a post-surgery duration of 14(12, 16) weeks. By the modified Merle d'Aubigné & Poster scoring system, the hip function was evaluated at the last follow-up as excellent in 4 cases, as good in 14 cases, and as fair in 1 case. Follow-ups revealed injury to the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve after surgery in 11 patients, of whom 5 were fully recovered and 6 partially recovered after treatment. Ectopic ossification developed after surgery in 3 patients, of whom 1 was rated as Brooker grade Ⅰ and 2 were as Brooker grade Ⅱ.Conclusion:In the treatment of acetabular fractures involving the roof column and roof wall, fixation with plates and screws through the iliofemoral approach or its modified approaches may achieve fine clinical outcomes in addition to the advantages of operative convenience and high safety.

Objective:To evaluate the iliofemoral approach and its modified approaches in the treatment of acetabular fractures involving the roof column and roof wall.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted to analyze the data of 19 patients who had been admitted to Department of Orthopaedics, The First Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University for acetabular fractures involving the roof column and roof wall from June 2015 to July 2023. There were 12 males and 7 females with an age of (53.5±15.6) years. By the three-column classification for the acetabular fractures, there were 2 cases of type A, 7 cases of type B, and 10 cases of type C. The time from injury to surgery was 6(5, 11) days. All patients underwent surgery through the iliofemoral approach or its modified approaches (the iliofemoral approach in 2 cases, the modified iliofemoral two-window approach in 13 cases, and the modified expanded iliofemoral two-window approach in 4 cases). All patients were fixated with plates and screws after reduction. The surgical time, intraoperative bleeding, complications, quality of fracture reduction, and hip joint function of the affected side were analyzed.Results:For all the 19 patients, the surgical time averaged (186.8±81.3) minutes, and the intraoperative bleeding volume 500(400, 600) mL. After acetabular fracture surgery, anatomical reduction was achieved in 13 cases and satisfactory reduction in 6 cases. The follow-up period for the 19 patients was (42.6±25.9) months. All acetabular fractures achieved bony union after a post-surgery duration of 14(12, 16) weeks. By the modified Merle d'Aubigné & Poster scoring system, the hip function was evaluated at the last follow-up as excellent in 4 cases, as good in 14 cases, and as fair in 1 case. Follow-ups revealed injury to the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve after surgery in 11 patients, of whom 5 were fully recovered and 6 partially recovered after treatment. Ectopic ossification developed after surgery in 3 patients, of whom 1 was rated as Brooker grade Ⅰ and 2 were as Brooker grade Ⅱ.Conclusion:In the treatment of acetabular fractures involving the roof column and roof wall, fixation with plates and screws through the iliofemoral approach or its modified approaches may achieve fine clinical outcomes in addition to the advantages of operative convenience and high safety.

Objective:To compare the effect of reduction and internal fixation of composite acetabular fracture with the modified two-window iliofemoral approach and ilioinguinal approach.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was used to analyze the clinical data of 160 patients with composite acetabular fracture admitted to First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from January 2016 to August 2021, including 117 males and 43 females, aged 15-78 years [(44.1±16.0)years]. According to the Letournel classification system, there were 101 patients with both-column fracture, 5 with anterior wall/column combined with posterior semi-transverse fracture and 24 with T-shaped fracture. A total of 80 patients were treated using the modified iliofemoral incision combined with limited Pfannstiel incision (modified two-window iliofemoral approach group) and the other 80 patients were treated using the ilioinguinal approach (ilioinguinal approach group). The fracture healing was observed. The operation time and intraoperative bleeding volume were compared between the two groups. The quality of fracture reduction was evaluated by Matta scoring standard at 1 day and 6 months after operation. The modified Merle d′Aubigne & Postel scoring standard was used to evaluate the function of the affected hip joint at the last follow-up. The incidence of complications such as neurovascular injury, iatrogenic bladder injury, heterotopic ossification and femoral head necrosis were compared between the two groups.Results:All patients were followed up for 12-78 months [(43.3±17.9)months], with bony union of the fracture. The operation time and intraoperative bleeding volume in modified two-window iliofemoral approach group were 150.0 (123.8, 180.0)minutes and 600.0 (500.0, 787.5)ml when compared to 190.0 (150.0, 240.0)minutes and 700.0 (562.5, 887.5)ml in ilioinguinal approach group (all P<0.01). There was no significant difference between the two groups in the quality of fracture reduction at 1 day and 6 months after operation, function of hip joint at the last follow-up and incidence of complications (all P>0.05). Conclusions:For reduction and internal fixation of composite acetabular fracture, the modified two-window iliofemoral approach has advantages over the ilioinguinal approach in reducing operation time and intraoperative bleeding, although both methods yield similar results in fracture reduction quality, postoperative hip function and complication rate.

Objective:To compare the efficacy of posteromedial and anterolateral approach and single posteromedial reversed L approach for reduction and internal fixation in the treatment of Wahlquist type C medial tibial plateau fracture (mTPF) with coronal subluxation of knee joint.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 44 surgically treated Wahlquist type C mTPFs from January 2010 to April 2021. They were divided into single-approach group (21 cases, 12 males and 9 females with mean age of 50.71±11.28 years) and combined-approach group (23 cases, 16 males and 7 females with mean age of 51.00±10.07 years) according to their surgical approach. The single-approach group contained 14 left limbs and 7 right limbs, and there were 19 anteromedial-posteromedial-posterolateral mTPF and 2 posteromedial-posterolateral mTPF. The combined-approach group contained 18 left limbs and 5 right limbs, and there were 22 anteromedial-posteromedial-posterolateral mTPF and 1 posteromedial-posterolateral mTPF. The intraoperative blood loss and incidence of blood transferring were assessed according to the anesthetic recording. The incidence of residual knee subluxation and articular surface step, medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA) and posterior proximal tibial angle (PPTA) were measured on the postoperative plain radiograph and the function recovery of the affected knee was evaluated by the short musculoskeletal function assessment (SMFA) and the visual analogue scale (VAS).Results:The intraoperative blood loss in combined-approach group was 597.83±89.79 ml and 516.67±79.58 ml in single-approach group, there was a significant difference between the two groups ( t=3.16, P=0.003). The incidence of blood transferring was 17% (4/23) in the combined-approach group and 14% (3/21) in the single-approach group, with no significant difference (χ 2=0.08, P=0.78). All 44 patients were followed up for 8 to 133 months (mean 54 months). The rate of the residual knee subluxation and unsatisfied articular surface reduction in the combined-approach group was lower than that in the single-approach group (34.8% vs. 76.2%, χ 2=7.59, P=0.006; 30.4% vs. 61.9%, χ 2=4.39, P=0.036). There was no significant difference between the combined-approach group and single-approach groups in the postoperative MPTA (86.67°±3.31° vs. 85.86°±4.36°, t=0.88, P=0.386) and PPTA (81.57°±3.22° vs. 83.90°±6.80°, t=1.44, P=0.162). The SMFA and VAS score sin the combined-approach group were significantly better than single-approach groups (20.52±11.04 vs. 31.19±16.79; t=2.51, P=0.016; 2.74±1.32 vs. 3.76±1.04; t=3.13, P=0.007). Conclusion:The efficacy of combined posteromedial and anterolateral approach in the treatment of Wahlquist type C mTPF with coronal subluxation of knee joint is superior to that of traditional single posteromedial reversed L approach.

Objective:To investigate the injury characteristics, treatment strategy and prognosis of acetabular fracture combined with ipsilateral femoral neck fracture.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted of the 15 patients with acetabular fracture combined with ipsilateral femoral neck fracture who had been treated from January 2009 to June 2021 at Department of Orthopaedics, The First Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University. They were 10 males and 5 females, aged from 26 to 68 years (average, 47.1 years). The treatment strategy depended on their injury characteristics. For the 3 patients with incomplete displacement of the femoral neck fracture but no hip dislocation, the femoral neck fracture was treated by closed reduction and internal fixation; for the 7 patients with complete displacement of the femoral neck fracture but no hip dislocation, the femoral neck fracture was treated first by closed reduction and then by open reduction and internal fixation in case the closed reduction had failed; for the 5 patients complicated with hip dislocation (anterior one in 2 cases and posterior one in 3 cases), the femoral neck fracture was treated by open reduction and internal fixation. The acetabular fractures were treated via an appropriate surgical approach depending on their classifications. The operation time, intraoperative bleeding, fracture healing, functional recovery and complications such as postoperative avascular necrosis of the femoral head (NFH) were recorded.Results:In this cohort, the operation time ranged from 170 to 540 min, averaging 210 min, and the amount of intraoperative bleeding from 300 to 7,900 mL, averaging 800 mL. Postoperative X-ray films showed that all acetabular fractures and femoral neck fractures achieved anatomical reduction or satisfactory reduction. All patients were followed up for 1 to 13 years (average, 4 years). One patient had to receive total hip arthroplasty due to nonunion one year after operation, and the fractures in the other 14 patients healed by the first intention. At the last follow-up by the Merle d'Aubigné & Postel scoring, the function of the hip affected was excellent in 3 cases, good in 6 and poor in 6. NFH occurred in 4 cases, of which one had no hip dislocation and 3 had hip dislocation. Ectopic ossification developed in one patient after operation.Conclusions:The incidence of NFH is high in the patients with acetabular fracture combined with ipsilateral femoral neck fracture, especially higher in those complicated with hip dislocation. Treatment strategies should vary according to the injury characteristics. Attention should be paid to protection of the blood supply to the femoral head which significantly improves the prognosis.

Objective:To evaluate the outcomes of complex hyperextension tibial plateau fractures treated via combined anteromedial and anterolateral approaches.Methods:From January 2013 through July 2018, 11 complex hyperextension tibial plateau fractures were surgically treated at Department of Orthopaedics, The First Affiliated Hospital to Nanjing Medical University. The patients were 7 males and 4 females, aged from 23 to 62 years (average, 41.5 years). All the fractures affected both tibial condyles. Of them, 6 had hyperextension varus injury, 3 simple hyperextension injury without varus or valgus at the coronal view, and 2 hyperextension valgus injury. All their fractures were exposed and reset via combined anteromedial and anterolateral approaches. After surgery, orthosis of the knee joint was used to protect the affected limbs and the patients were followed up regularly at the outpatients department. At the final follow-up, the knee function was evaluated using The Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) scoring system while the posterior slope angle and the tibial plateau angle were assessed on their X-ray films.Results:No neurological symptoms were observed in the 11 patients whose wounds healed by the first intention. They were followed up from 6 to 28 months (average, 18.5 months). All the fractures obtained anatomical reduction by the X-ray after operation. Regular follow-ups showed no reduction loss, implants loosening or breakage. The fractures united after 10 to 16 weeks (average, 12.5 weeks). At immediate postoperation, the posterior slope angle was 12.8°±1.6° and the tibial plateau angle 3.8°±1.1°; at 6 months postoperation, the posterior slope angle was 11.9°±1.7° and the tibial plateau angle 3.6°±1.8°. There were no significant differences between immediate postoperation and 6 months postoperation in the above indexes ( P>0.05). At the final follow-up, the HSS scores ranged from 85 to 96 (mean, 90.4), the knee flexion from 120° to 140° (mean, 127.2°), and the knee extension from -5° to 5° (mean, 0°). Conclusions:Surgery via combined anteromedial and anterolateral approaches can lead to fine short-term outcomes for the complex hyperextension tibial plateau fracture which affects both tibial condyles. As long-term outcomes have not been available, further observations should be made. In addition, since this type of fractures is likely complicated with neurovascular or ligament lesions, attention should be paid to the injury to such soft tissues.

Objective:To conduct an MRI observation on the incidences of ligamentous injuries and fracture morphology in Schatzker type Ⅳ tibial plateau fracture (TPF) and investigate their influence on knee stability.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted of the 30 patients with Schatzker type Ⅳ TPF who had undergone surgery at Department of Orthopaedic Trauma, Jiangsu Provincial People's Hospital from January 2010 to December 2019 and whose preoperative X-ray, CT and MRI were available. They were 18 males and 12 females, aged from 22 to 75 years (mean, 45.4 years). They were divided into a dislocation-free group and a dislocation group according to the absence or presence of knee dislocation on their anteroposterior X-ray films. The fracture morphology was assessed on CT according to the modified three-column classification. The incidences of ligamentous injuries [involving anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), medial collateral ligament (MCL), posterolateral complex (PLC) and anterolateral ligament (ALL)] were investigated on MRI. The 2 groups were compared in fracture morphology and incidences of ligamentous injuries. Multiple linear regression (MLR) analysis was used to identify the main factor contributing to preoperative knee dislocation.Results:The dislocation group had 12 patients and the dislocation-free group 18. The fracture involving medial+posteromedial+posterolateral columns was found in 66.7% of the patients (20 cases), and accounted for 83.3% (10 cases) in the dislocation group. The incidence was 96.7% (29 cases) for ACL injury, 43.3% (13 cases) for PCL injury, 70.0% (21 cases) for MCL injury, 90% (27 cases) for PLC injury, 73.3% (22 cases) for ALL injury and 90% (27 cases) for the multiple-ligament disruption. There was a significant difference in the posterolateral column injury between the dislocation-free group [55.6% (10/18)] and the dislocation group [91.7% (11/12)] ( P < 0.05), but there were no significant differences between the 2 group in the injury to any other single ligament or multiple ligaments ( P>0.05). The MLR analysis confirmed that the posterolateral column injury was a risk factor for coronary plane dislocation in Schatzker type Ⅳ TPF( P<0.05). Conclusions:In Schatzker type Ⅳ TPF, the incidences of ligamentous injuries are very high but the fracture of posterolateral column may be the main cause for preoperative knee dislocation in some patients.