Posterior column acetabular fracture fixation using a W-shaped angular plate: A biomechanical analysis

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the stability and feasibility of four fixation constructs in a posterior column acetabular fracture: one reconstruction plate, one reconstruction plate and lag screw, two reconstruction plates, and a W-shaped acetabular angular plate. METHODS: Twenty embalmed cadaveric pelvises with a posterior column acetabular fractures were allocated to one of four groups: 1) a reconstruction plate, 2) a reconstruction plate with a posterior column lag screw, 3) double reconstruction plates, and 4) a W-shaped acetabular angular plate. These constructs were mechanically loaded on a testing machine, and construct stiffness values were measured. Strain gauges were utilized to measure the mechanical behavior in the condition of compressive force. RESULTS: Final stiffness was not different between the two reconstruction plates (445.81±98.30 N/mm) and the W-shaped acetabular angular plate (447.43±98.45 N/mm, p = 0.524), both of which were superior to a single reconstruction plate (248.90±61.95 N/mm) and a combined plate and lag screw (326.41±94.34 N/mm). Following the fixation of the W-shaped acetabular angular plate, the strain distribution was similar to the intact condition around the acetabulum. The parameters of the W-shaped acetabular angular plate that were observed at the superior region of the acetabulum were less than those of a single reconstruction plate (p<0.05), a single reconstruction plate with lag screw (p<0.05), and two reconstruction plates (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The novel W-shaped acetabular angular plate fixation technique was able to provide the biomechanically stiffest construct for stabilization of a posterior column acetabular fracture; it also resulted in a partial restoration of joint loading parameters toward the intact state.