Abstract
Acetabular fractures are amongst the most complex fractures. It has been suggested that pre-contouring the fixation plates may save intra-operative time, blood loss, reduce intra-operative fluoroscopy and improve the reduction. The purpose of this study was to assess if the contouring could be done reliably using the mirror image of the uninjured hemipelvis.
Using the CT data of 12 specimens with no bony abnormality 3D models were reconstructed. Using computer software (AMIRA, Visage Imaging) the mirror image of the left hemipelvis and the right hemipelvis were superimposed based on landmarks. The distances between the surfaces were then calculated and displayed in the form of colour maps.
The colour maps demonstrated that for the areas around were acetabular fixation plates would be placed the differences were small. For the anterior column plate 50% of the specimens had differences of less than 1mm, which based on the work of Letournel and Judet would represent an anatomical reduction. For the posterior column plate 58% had differences of less than 1mm.
This study demonstrates that there is considerable symmetry between both hemipelvises and that precontouring on the mirror image of the uninjured side is an accurate, quick and reliable method for precontouring.
