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Published in: European Journal of Trauma and Emergency Surgery 5/2014

01-10-2014 | Original Article

Crossover external fixator for acetabular fractures: a cadaver study

Authors: M. Frank, V. Dzupa, K. Smejkal, V. Baca, T. Dedek

Published in: European Journal of Trauma and Emergency Surgery | Issue 5/2014

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Abstract

Background

Dislocated acetabular fractures in polytraumatized patients are very challenging cases to deal with. Temporary stabilization by skeletal traction is difficult in these patients. A more effective solution can be an external fixation.

Objective

The authors designed a new crossover external fixation frame for acetabular fracture. The aim of this study is the biomechanical testing of this frame on human cadavers.

Methods

This study is an experiment on ten human cadavers. The acetabular fracture C2.2 was created. The stabilization effect of external fixation was compared with stabilization by large distractor. Femoral heads’ shifts caused by standardized manipulation with the cadaver were obtained from X-ray pictures.

Results

The mean total shift in stabilization technique by external fixation was 2.56 (1–4) mm. In stabilization by large distractor, the mean of the total shift after cadaver manipulation was 5.11 (0–10) mm. No significant differences were found between stabilization by external fixation and by large distractor (p = 0.066).

Conclusions

The stabilization of acetabular fracture C2.2 by a crossover external fixator is as effective as large distractor. The crossover external fixation could be a suitable solution for the temporary stabilization of acetabular fractures in polytraumatized patients. Subsequent studies including clinical trials are necessary to confirm the authors’ suggestion.
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Metadata
Title
Crossover external fixator for acetabular fractures: a cadaver study
Authors
M. Frank
V. Dzupa
K. Smejkal
V. Baca
T. Dedek
Publication date
01-10-2014
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
European Journal of Trauma and Emergency Surgery / Issue 5/2014
Print ISSN: 1863-9933
Electronic ISSN: 1863-9941
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00068-013-0362-7

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