Quadrilateral plate classification program of acetabular fractures based on three-column classification: a three-dimensional fracture mapping study

Abstract

Background A new classification system for acetabular fractures has been proposed in recent years, which is called the 3-column classification. However, this system does not provide information regarding quadrilateral plate fractures. To address this issue, we utilized three-dimensional (3D) fracture line mapping and heat map to analyze the link between the 3-column classification and quadrilateral plate fractures. Methods We collected CT scan data from 177 patients who had been diagnosed with acetabular fractures. Additionally, we utilized a CT scan of a healthy adult to generate a standard acetabular model. We utilized the collected CT data of the fracture to create a 3D model and subsequently reduced it. We then matched each acetabular fracture model with the standard acetabular model and mapped all of the fracture lines to the standard model. 3D fracture lines and heat maps were created by overlapping all fracture lines. Fracture characteristics were then summarized using these maps. Results This study analyzed a total of 221 acetabular fractures. The most frequently observed fracture type, based on the three-column classification, was A1.2, which corresponds to fractures of the anterior column. In contrast, the least common type of fracture was A4, which represents fractures of the central wall. It was noted that quadrilateral plate fractures were frequently observed in fractures classified as type B and C according to the three-column classification. Conclusions Among the three-column classification, the QLP fractures are commonly observed in type B and C. It is important to carefully identify these fractures during the diagnostic process. Therefore, based on the three-column classification, we have amalgamated quadrilateral plate fractures and formulated a classification program for acetabular fractures.