Objective To investigate the short-term effectiveness of reconstruction plate internal fixation via improved Stoppa approach combined with iliac fossa approach and Kocher-Langenbeck approach for complex acetabular fractures. Methods Between January 2015 and January 2020, 30 patients with complex acetabular fractures were treated with reconstruction plate internal fixation via improved Stoppa approach combined with iliac fossa approach and Kocher-Langenbeck approach. There were 20 males and 10 females with an average age of 52.1 years (range, 25-71 years). The cause of injury included traffic accident in 17 cases and falling from height in 13 cases. Among them, 14 cases were left acetabular fractures and 16 cases were right acetabular fractures. According to Letournel classification, there were 16 cases of double column fractures, 2 cases of transverse fracture with posterior wall fracture, 4 cases of anterior column and posterior hemi-transverse fractures, 8 cases of T-shaped fracture. The displacement distance of fracture ranged from 6 to 30 mm (mean, 11.6 mm). The time from injury to operation was 6-14 days (mean, 8.7 days). Results The operation time was 2.0-4.5 hours (mean, 3.0 hours). The intraoperative blood loss was 200-800 mL (mean, 450.0 mL). All patients were treated with autologous blood transfusion during operation. All incisions healed by first intention after operation, and no infection occurred. All patients were followed up 12-15 months (mean, 13.4 months). The drainage tube was removed at 2-3 days after operation. After extubation, X-ray film and three-dimensional CT were performed to recheck the fracture reduction. According to Matta score system, 20 cases were excellent, 5 were good, and 5 were poor, the excellent and good rate was 83.3%. All fractures healed with the healing time of 16-25 weeks (mean, 17.7 weeks). According to Merle d’Aubigne-Postel score system, the hip function at 1 year after operation was rated as excellent in 18 cases, good in 6 cases, and fair in 6 cases, and the excellent and good rate was 80.0%. Two cases suffered from sciatic nerve injury due to traction during operation, 7 cases had heterotopic ossification, 2 cases had traumatic hip arthritis, and no other complications occurred. Conclusion For complex acetabular fractures, the reconstruction plate internal fixation via improved Stoppa approach combined with iliac fossa approach and Kocher-Langenbeck approach can obtain good short-term effectiveness with good reduction and hip joint function, and less complications.
Objective To explore the efficacy and safety of perioperative multiple intravenous tranexamic acid (TXA) administration in complex acetabular fracture. Methods The patients with complex acetabular fractures admitted to the Department of Orthopedic Surgery / Trauma Center of West China Hospital, Sichuan University between September 2021 and December 2022 for a planned surgery were selected. The patients were randomly divided into a control group and an experimental group according to TXA administration protocol. The general information, total blood loss, 48 h postoperative blood drainage, recessive blood loss, fibrinolysis index, transfusion rate, and incidence of venous thrombotic events of the included patients were observed. Results A total of 60 patients were included, including 41 males and 19 females; 30 cases in each group. There was no statistically significant difference in gender, age, body mass index, surgical approach, and surgical duration between the two groups of patients (P>0.05). There were statistically significant differences in total blood loss [(795.90±451.36) vs. (579.70±315.88) mL], 48 h postoperative blood drainage [(231.33±130.77) vs. (147.67±73.14) mL], recessive blood loss [(406.23±356.17) vs. (170.30±163.75) mL], and transfusion rate (63.3% vs. 36.7%) between the control group and the experimental group (P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the preoperative incidence of intramuscular vein thrombosis and the postoperative incidence of deep vein thrombosis and intramuscular vein thrombosis between the two groups of patients (P>0.05). All patients did not experience pulmonary embolism after surgery. The hemoglobin and hematocrit of both groups showed a decreasing trend. But there was no statistically significant difference in hemoglobin and hematocrit between the two groups (P＞0.05). Both groups showed different trends in fibrinogen and D-dimer, and the experimental group was better than the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion Multiple intravenous administration of TXA in complex acetabular fractures patients has proven to decrease the total and hidden blood loss, decrease perioperative blood products transfusion rate, and do not expose to venous thrombotic diseases risks.