title: Minimal-invasive posterior approach in the treatment of the posterior wall fractures of the acetabulum.
abstract: We examined patients affected by a posterior wall fracture of the acetabulum treated with a minimally invasive posterior approach (from 12 to 18 cm). During 2004-2006 19 patients were treated by this approach. 4 patients had a combined surgery by the ileo-inguinal approach. Fracture fixation was performed using reconstruction plates and screws. All the patients were studied with typical X-rays projection for pelvis and iliac oblique view and obturator oblique view (Judet view) and CT scan with 3D reconstruction. After 3 months a CT scan was performed on about 30% of our patients, which demonstrated the perfect healing of the fractures. The most important advantages we observed using this approach were a lesser split of the gluteus maximus and no risk of damage for the superior gluteal nerve. In the early post-operative rehabilitation we examined the trophism of the gluteus maximus, which was found to be better than in patients treated with the typical Kocher-Langenbeck approach. The only absolute contraindication for this technique is in obese patients. The post-operative complications include one case of heterotypic ossification of the gluteus minimus and one case of peroneal-nerve palsy with the spontaneous and complete recovery within 6 months. According to our experience this kind of approach could be used for posterior wall fracture of the pelvis and it can be extended to transverse fractures. In the post-operative period the greatest advantage is the lesser muscle damage and therefore a most effective rehabilitation.
authors.affiliation: Orthopaedics and Trauma Department, D.E.A, Niguarda Ca'Granda Hospital Milan, Milan, Italy. rosariospagnolo@libero.it
authors.forename: Rosario
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Spagnolo
authors.forename: Matteo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bonalumi
authors.forename: Fabrizio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pace
authors.forename: Dario
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Capitani
mesh_terms: D000077:Acetabulum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D000328:Adult; D000075202:Contraindications; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal; D017102:Fracture Healing; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D006617:Hip Dislocation / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D009104:Multiple Trauma; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications; D059348:Peripheral Nerve Injuries; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D055815:Young Adult