ORIF through Kocher-Langenbeck

For ORIF of posterior column/wall fractures with Kocher-Langenbeck approach, the following surgical sequence is common:

• Joint distraction and removal of incarcerated fragments
• Reduction of femoral head dislocation if not achieved closed on admission
• Reduction and stabilization of marginal impaction
• Reduction of the posterior column and preliminary stabilization
• Reduction and fixation of the posterior wall fragments

Posterior column reduction is done before that of the posterior wall. The displaced posterior wall fragment makes it easier to see the column fracture.

Preoperative templating is essential for understanding the complexity of an acetabular fracture.

When using implants on the innominate bone, it is important to know the best starting points for obtaining optimal screw anchorage (see General stabilization principles and screw directions).

The Kocher-Langenbeck for posterior wall fractures can be performed in either the prone or lateral position.

If a hip dislocation is expected, then the patient should be placed in the lateral position to allow sufficient freedom of movement of the leg. If the hip is only to be subluxed, then the prone position may also be utilized.

The following sections represent the approach in the prone position.

The maintenance of knee flexion (at 90°) and hip extension throughout the procedure reduces tension on the sciatic nerve.

In cases with large superior wall fragments, further visualization of the superior acetabulum may be necessary. This is achieved with a trochanter osteotomy extension.

Posterior wall fractures, elemental and associated, usually result from posterior hip dislocation. The sciatic nerve may be injured. Post reduction CT will be used to evaluate the fracture characteristics. Watch for bone and cartilage impaction.

Unusually for a significant joint, articular reduction of acetabular fractures is indirect. The articular surface of the hip joint is not seen directly. Reduction must be assessed by the appearance of the extraarticular fracture lines and intraoperative fluoroscopic assessment. Some fracture lines are palpated manually but not seen directly such as transverse fracture lines on the quadrilateral plate.

Marginal impaction in the posterior wall fracture can be seen directly prior to final closure of the cortical fragment.

Posttraumatic arthrosis is directly related to the quality of reduction - the better the reduction, the greater the chance of a good or excellent result.

Traction on the femur, laterally or distally, to increases the joint space.

This will help:

• Expose the joint
• Remove loose fragments

Traction can be applied in several ways, including:

• Lateral manual traction applied via the greater trochanter (as demonstrated)
• Distal manual traction applied via a distal femoral traction pin
• With a femoral distractor (see below)
• With a fracture table

In some surgeon’s experience, the use of a traction table post or other traction frame is helpful during this operation.

One way to apply traction is with a large distractor. This avoids both constant pulling and use of the fracture table, but does limit mobility of the hip. Properly placed, the distractor may properly realign the femoral head.

Insert a 5 mm Schanz screw into the sciatic buttress well above the level of the fracture. Place a second Schanz screw into the femur at the level of the lesser trochanter.

Tension on the distractor can be adjusted as needed for visualization or reduction.

AO teaching video: Use of the distractor on the pelvis

Exposure is completed subperiosteally at the fracture site on the retroacetabular surface. The fracture can be distracted carefully with a lamina spreader or with distal fragment manipulation via a Schanz screw applied to the ischial tuberosity.

The periosteum along the quadrilateral surface can be cleaned from the fracture site either through the distracted fracture (A) or with a finger or periosteal elevator applied through the sciatic notch (B).

Clean and irrigate the fracture site in preparation for the direct reduction.

Incarcerated fragments should be identified on the preoperative CT scan. Their removal and cleaning of the joint is mandatory. This requires the previously described traction.

Ideally this will have been reduced provisionally as part of initial management. The unstable hip may redislocate during exposure and re-reduction will be necessary.

Improper position of the head prevents satisfactory fracture reduction.

This CT scan image shows residual posterior dislocation, posterior wall impaction, and a free bone fragment in the cotyloid fossa.

Often the posterior column fracture alignment will improve once the head is relocated.

The x-ray shows a reduced femoral head with residual posterior column displacement (arrow).

With the femoral head properly reduced, the mobile inferior portion of the posterior column must be repositioned. This requires correction of its medial and distal displacement and internal rotation. Direct manipulation and provisional stabilization with clamps are to be used. Once a satisfactory provisional reduction is achieved and confirmed, definitive fixation is applied.

Sometimes the wall fragment is so large that it must be reduced at the same time in order to allow fixation to be applied.

A Schanz screw is placed into the ischial tuberosity to act as a handle or joystick. This is a key aid for manipulating the posterior column fragment.

The orientation of the screw is directed from lateral to medial and is typically applied through the muscular insertions overlaying the tuberosity. The muscles do not need to be elevated from the bone to allow screw placement.

Care should be taken to avoid blocking the fracture environment with this screw. A proximal to distal trajectory should be avoided, as the Schanz screw will block subsequent adjuncts for fracture reduction at the retroacetabular surface.

Fracture adjustment requires fine manipulation at the fracture itself. There are several adjuncts that can accomplish this fine adjustment.

Rotation and fine adjustment of this fragment is aided with a bone hook, sharp dental hooks, and/or ball spike pusher.

Manipulation with a hook placed as shown demonstrates mobility of the posterior column, and helps in the reduction. If reduction is difficult, check the fracture site for interposed debris.

The pointed reduction forceps is a very powerful way of manipulating the reduction along the fracture line and applying compression.

Due to the convexity of the bone, small holes may need to be drilled into the cortex to allow clamp application, and to prevent the points from slipping.

This clamp has jaws shaped to fit around screw heads. It can be used to compress fracture surfaces with two properly placed 3.5 mm cortical screws. They should be securely placed, and a little prominent, to be grasped by the clamp.

Properly placed, this clamp can both de-rotate the posterior column, and approximate the fracture fragments.

Care should be taken, as poor clamp placement may pressure the sciatic nerve.

The Jungbluth pelvic reduction clamp is a similar alternative, which requires a larger exposure and also depends upon proper screw placement so that the forces applied by the clamp correctly realign the fracture.

A proximal screw is placed in the superior portion of the iliac wing above the acetabulum.

A distal screw is placed in the posterior column above the ischial tuberosity.

Their positions determine the direction of applied force, and this must be perpendicular to the fracture plane.

The use of the screw-dependent clamps (the Jungbluth and Farabeuf) creates the potential problem of screw traffic. Care must be taken to avoid placing these screws in the way of preliminary and definitive fixation screws.

Displace the wall fragment as necessary to see the posterior column reduction. Reduction must be perfect. The posterior column fragment must be manipulated into anatomical alignment with instruments as described above. Manipulation of the T-handle Schanz screw is a significant aid.

Pulling it posteriorly will help to close the fracture. Translation and rotation may require assisting instruments.

To mobilize the posterior column in cases older than 3 weeks, cut the sacrospinous ligament at its insertion. Alternatively, osteotomize the ischial spine.

Examine the reduction by inserting a finger or an appropriate instrument along the quadrilateral plate.

With a satisfactory reduction, the quadrilateral surface should have no palpable gap or step-off.

Reduction can also be checked by opening the hip capsule with an incision parallel to the acetabular border, avoiding damage to the labrum. Inspection of the joint surface demonstrates reduction.

If the posterior column is satisfactorily reduced, it will be possible to place the posterior wall fragment into its bed anatomically, and this should be confirmed.

If possible, begin definitive fixation with an interfragmentary lag screw, placed from the distal fragment, into the posterior buttress of the ilium. The trajectory of this screw often requires a percutaneous insertion through the posterior gluteus musculature. Great care must be taken not to compromise the sciatic nerve.

The gliding hole may be drilled before reduction to ensure its proper placement.

Screw placement must allow optimal plate positioning as described below.

If a lag screw cannot be inserted satisfactorily, a short plate across the fracture can be inserted along the medial edge of the posterior column. This can be used to help obtain the reduction.

A second plate along the acetabular margin will also be necessary to fix the wall fragment, as well as increasing stability of the column fixation.

Place the medial plate out of the way of the lateral plate. Using a 2.7 mm plate can facilitate this.

Particularly if the wall component is shallow, the posterior column is well stabilized with the insertion of a 7.3 mm partially threaded cannulated screw. This is inserted through a separate stab incision in the buttock crease over a guide wire.

The starting point is at the ischial tuberosity, and a finger in the greater sciatic notch is used to guide the wire and screw up the posterior column, exiting at the pelvic brim.

Care should be taken to protect the sciatic nerve at the level of the ischial tuberosity.

The use of a screw aids the placement of the posterior wall plate as it increases the freedom of placement of the wall plate.

This is commonly referred to as the ‘butt screw’.

Impaction is often difficult to detect, but mandatory to treat. It must be corrected before the posterior wall can be reduced.

Typically, the femoral head, in its reduced position, is a helpful template for reduction of impacted areas.

With the femoral head distracted to allow access to the impacted fragments, one can carefully elevate and mold the area, utilizing the femoral head as a template.

In this clinical image, the displaced articular fragments can be seen before and after reduction and grafting.

In the image on the right, the impacted fragment 1 has been mobilized and positioned to restore the normal relationship of this fragment with the femoral head. Of note, the surgeon has further displaced and mobilized fragment 2, which will be reduced next. (3: Intact region of acetabular cartilage.)

Fill the metaphyseal defect left after reduction to the impaction with cancellous autograft or a structurally supportive bone substitute.

Use K-wires, screws, or resorbable pins to hold the reduction of small fragments.

Reposition the wall fragment in its bed and compress it into place. Remember that this may be more difficult should the fragment be comminuted.

A ball spike pusher can be used to compress and maintain the reduction until definitive fixation.

It may be necessary to stabilize the fragment with a K-wire or two before proceeding.

Alternatively, this can be done with a pelvic reduction forceps with pointed ball tips. Here an angled pelvic reduction clamp is shown.

One tip is inserted through the greater sciatic notch, against the quadrilateral lamina. The other is placed on the wall fragment and the clamp is tightened.

Confirm reduction before proceeding.

It is important to avoid placing fixation screws into the hip joint. Thus the surgeon must remember the joint location which will be obscured by posterior wall reduction.

One may even consider drilling the posterior wall gliding holes before reduction.

If the posterior wall fragment is large enough, it should be fixed into its bed with a lag screw.

Before turning back, the posterior wall fragment, it is important to assess the quality of the reduction. After satisfactory reduction, insert the lag screw, carefully avoiding the joint.

This shows fixation of a large posterior wall fragment with 2 screws. Typically the medial edge of the fragment is very thin. Screws should be placed laterally enough to capture a thicker part of the bone, while carefully avoiding the joint.

Predrilling the fragment before reduction may be helpful.

These lag screws may be in the way of the posterior plate. If possible, place them medially to it, or place the plate over the screw heads.

Typically, 2.7 mm screws can be used, having “drilled” the hole with a long 2 mm wire.

In addition to the lag screw or the medial plate, a reconstruction plate will be applied laterally. The two points of fixation will provide torsional stability to the ultimate construct.

A reconstruction plate is chosen to reconstitute the structural stability of the native posterior column and the sciatic buttress. Ideally, it will be applied to the mid-column and contoured to obtain purchase in the strong bone of the sciatic buttress.

An aluminum template can be bent to fit the pelvis in the optimal location. The plate positioning will be limited cranially by the superior gluteal nerve and vascular pedicle. The distal end of the plate will be contoured to optimize screw positioning down the ischial ramus.

The plate contour should enforce the vectors required for the reduction.

Fixation is completed with the lateral reconstruction plate spanning the posterior column and anchored securely to ilium and ischium. This follows the lateral border of the retroacetabular surface, and should be positioned for maximal support of the posterior wall fragment(s).

Screws overlying the acetabulum may be omitted, but if at all possible, at least one screw, in addition to the plate, should fix significant wall fragments.

Remember that this plate supports both the posterior column fracture and the posterior wall. It must be contoured appropriately, applied under tension with tension by screw position and direction. Thus, tightening proximal and distal screws should complete the contouring of the plate and compress it against the underlying bone.

Sometimes the definitive screw for a posterior wall fragment can best be inserted through the plate after it is applied.

Stabilization of the posterior wall fragments sometimes requires spring hook plates to resist shearing forces on the fragment which are inserted either instead of lag screws, or before them to resist the shear created by the compression.

The spring hook plates should extend medially beyond the posterior wall buttress plate. These supplementary plates provide additional buttress support for the comminuted fragments.

The hooks must press on the bone fragments and not into the labrum.

Spring hook plates are available pre-contoured or made from small fragment one third tubular plates. For details see the corresponding basic technique.

Proximally, retraction and plate and screw placement may result in neurovascular injury. Careful retraction and attention to plate location are essential to protect these fragile structures.

Intraoperative fluoroscopic images (AP, obturator oblique, iliac oblique) should be obtained to confirm the fracture reduction quality and the congruence of the femoral head.

A true lateral or exaggerated obturator oblique should be obtained to ensure that all placed screws are extraarticular.

The final AP, obturator oblique and iliac oblique radiographs demonstrate:

• The anatomic reduction
• Lag screw positioning from the distal fragment into the intact ilium
• The optimal plate position utilizing the sciatic buttress and the ischial ramus for secure fixation
• The plate contour reinforcing the vectors required for reduction
• Concentric reduction of the femoral head
• Extraarticular placement of hardware

These x-rays (AP, above; iliac oblique, left) show completed fixation of a posterior column/wall associated fracture. For better access to the anterosuperior acetabular margin, a trochanteric osteotomy was used.

Postoperatively, obtain formal high-quality radiographs of AP and both oblique views.

During the first 24-48 hours, antibiotics are administered intravenously, according to hospital prophylaxis protocol. In order to avoid heterotopic ossification in high-risk patients, the use of indomethacin or single low dose radiation should be considered. Every patient needs DVT treatment. There is no universal protocol, but 6 weeks of anticoagulation is a common strategy.

Wound drains are rarely used. Local protocols should be followed if used, aiming to remove the drain as soon as possible and balancing output with infection risk.

Specialized therapy input is essential.

X-rays are taken for immediate postoperative control, and at 8 weeks prior to full weight bearing.

Postoperative CT scans are used routinely in some units, and only obtained if there are concerns regarding the quality of reduction or intraarticular hardware in others.

With satisfactory healing, sutures are removed around 10-14 days after surgery.

Early mobilization should be stressed and patients encouraged to sit up within the first 24-48 hours following surgery.

Mobilization touch weight bearing for 8 weeks is advised.

The patient should remain on crutches touch weight bearing (up to 20 kg) for 8 weeks. This is preferable to complete non-weight bearing because forces across the hip joint are higher when the leg is held off the floor. Weight bearing can be progressively increased to full weight after 8 weeks.

With osteoporotic bone or comminuted fractures, delay until 12 weeks may be considered.

Generally, implants are left in situ indefinitely. For acute infections with stable fixation, implants should usually be retained until the fracture is healed. Typically, by then a treated acute infection has become quiescent. Should it recur, hardware removal may help prevent further recurrences. Remember that a recurrent infection may involve the hip joint, which must be assessed in such patients with arthrocentesis. For patients with a history of wound infection who become candidates for total hip replacement, a two-stage reconstruction may be appropriate.

Posterior hip dislocation associated with posterior wall, posterior column, transverse, and T-shaped fractures can be associated with sciatic nerve palsy. At the time of surgical exploration, it is very rare to find a completely disrupted nerve and there are no treatment options beyond fracture reduction, hip stabilization and hemostasis. Neurologic recovery may take up to 2 years. Peroneal division involvement is more common than tibial. Sensory recovery precedes motor recovery and it is not unusual to see clinical improvement in the setting of grossly abnormal electrodiagnostic findings.