A new navigational apparatus for fixation of acetabular posterior column fractures with percutaneous retrograde lagscrew: Design and application

The purpose of this study was to analyze the feasibility and accuracy of a newly developed guide apparatus for the percutaneous retrograde lag screw fixation of posterior column of acetabular fractures. 3D pelvic models were reconstructed from the helical computed tomographic data of 33 adult patients using the Mimics 10.01 software. The virtual cylindrical implants were placed along a line passing through the central point of the ischial tuberosity and the midpoint between the most prominent point of anterior superior iliac spine and that of posterior superior iliac spine. Some anatomical parameters were then measured, based on which a guide apparatus was developed, and its safety and accuracy were experimentally validated with pelvic and cadaveric specimens. The screws were successfully placed in all of the 66 hemipelves. There was a significant difference between the male and female groups in the AB distance (156.26 ± 7.28 mm and 151.38 ± 8.11 mm), OI distance (139.53 ± 7.56 mm and 125.15 ± 11.17 mm), and diameter (12.19 ± 1.97 mm and 10.19 ± 2.14 mm) of the virtual cylindrical implants. This guide apparatus was proved effective for percutaneous retrograde lag screw fixation of posterior column acetabular fractures by the experiments with the pelvic and cadaveric specimens. Screw fixation of posterior column fractures via OI is safe and feasible. We designed a new percutaneous retrograde screw fixation guide apparatus to assist internal fixation of posterior column acetabular fracture.