Abstract
Background/aim The aim of this study is to compare the stability and implant stresses of suprapectineal plate with infrapectineal plate in three subconfigurations of the screw types. Materials and methods The stabilities of different fixation methods were compared by finite element analysis on six models. Three infrapectineal and three suprapectineal models each with locked, unlocked, or combined screws were employed. Three-dimensional finite element stress analysis was performed by using isotropic materials with a load of 2.3 kN applied at standing positions. Motion at the fracture line was measured on four different points located on the pubic and iliac sides of the fracture line.Results Infrapectineal plate fixation with unlocked screws was found to be the most stable fixation method with 0.006 mm displacement of fragments in all axes at standing positions. The suprapectineal unlocked method was found to be the most unstable in standing positions with maximum displacement values of 0.46 mm vertical shear movement in the x-axis, –0.14 mm displacement in the y-axis, and –0.33 mm lateral shear in the z-axis. Conclusion The infrapectineal unlocked plate supplies the most stable fixation with the least implant stress, contrary to the suprapectineal unlocked plate, which has the lowest stability and highest implant stresses.
Highlights
An anterior column fracture of the acetabulum can be fixed by using a suprapectineal plate via an ilioinguinal approach [1,2] or using a infrapectineal plate [3,4,5,6] by a modified Stoppa approach
The modified Stoppa approach has the advantage of providing access for an infrapectineal plate, which better supports the quadrilateral surface with a relatively short incision without the need for any major vascular dissections [7,8]
Six different methods that are used for the fixation of anterior column fractures of the acetabulum were compared in terms of stability and strength by utilizing a finite element model
Summary
An anterior column fracture of the acetabulum can be fixed by using a suprapectineal plate via an ilioinguinal approach [1,2] or using a infrapectineal plate [3,4,5,6] by a modified Stoppa approach. The modified Stoppa approach has the advantage of providing access for an infrapectineal plate, which better supports the quadrilateral surface with a relatively short incision without the need for any major vascular dissections [7,8]. This approach has been praised for having a relatively less steep learning curve [8] than the suprapectineal approach, it may require more experience to perform since the same critical neurovascular structures lay nearby at risk, in this case undissected and hidden [9,10,11]. Standing positions were tested to mimic the basic physiological loads that patients would experience during the early postoperative period
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
