Comparative study of anatomical locking plate and reconstruction plate in treating acetabular fractures

Purpose This study aims to compare the effectiveness of anatomic locking plate and reconstruction plate used in treating acetabular fractures. Methods From January 2009 to January 2016, patients with acetabular fractures were included in this retrospective study. We grouped the patients into two groups based on the internal fixation: reconstruction plate group (RPG) and anatomic locking plate group (ALPG). The operation time, blood loss, intra-operative screw penetration, and plate breakage were compared between the two groups. The intra-operative fluoroscopic images were used to evaluate the fixation location. The quality of reduction and radiological grading were assessed according to the criteria developed by Matta. The clinical assessment was based on the Merle d’Aubigne-Postel score. Results Eighty-three patients were included in this study and were followed up for an average of 35 months (range, 25 to 42 months). Thirty-five patients were treated with the anatomical locking plate, and 48 patients were treated with the reconstruction plate. The mean surgical time was significantly shorter ( P < 0.0001) in ALPG patients than in RPG patients, and the intra-operative blood loss was significantly lower ( P = 0.008). The rates of intra-operative screw penetration or plate breakage in the ALPG (0/35) are significantly lower than that in the RPG (7/48) ( P = 0.018). Post-operative Matta score ( P = 0.905), Merle d’Aubigne-Postel score ( P = 0.957), and overall complication rates ( P = 0.391) were not significantly different among the groups. Conclusion Patients treated by anatomical locking plate had shorter operation time, less bleeding, and lower rate screw perforation compared to patients treated by reconstruction plate. Anatomical locking plate is a better choice for acetabulum fractures, especially complicated fractures.