Pipkin classification

Abstract: In general, all traumatic dislocations of the hip must be treated as surgical emergencies. Multiple attempts at closed reduction are contraindicated, particularly in Type V dislocations. Every effort must be made to recognize the dislocation, particularly in patients with other severe lower extremity trauma. Reduction within 24 hours gives better results than late reductions. Roentgenograms of the pelvis must include both hips after closed or open procedures as a check for a concentric reduction of the hip. Any abnormality, or failure to reduce the avulsed head fragment, demands an immediate hip arthrotomy. The good results, after primary open reduction, although under 50%, were better than closed or closed followed by open reduction. Our approach is to discard the avulsed head fragment. No conclusions can be made regarding screw fixation of the avulsed fragment because there was an insufficient follow-up period in this procedure. Long-term follow-up examination is necessary in Type V fracture dislocations because one can anticipate that arthritic changes will develop in more than 50% of patients. Anterior approaches to excise head fragments in Type V dislocations are contraindicated. Early intervention is indicated in all dislocations with sciatic or peroneal nerve paralysis. Because most dislocations in this series were due to automobile accidents, the routine use of seat belts could have prevented many of these injuries.

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Traumatic dislocation and fracture-dislocation of the hip is an absolute orthopedic emergency that is steadily increasing in incidence. Early recognition and prompt, stable reduction is the essence of successful management. A delay in recognition and reduction leads to preventable complications and morbidity. The purpose of this retrospective study is to identify prognostic factors that predict long-term outcome after hip dislocation. METHODS: Between 1980 and 1994, 107 patients with traumatic dislocation of the hips were treated, and 62 are reviewed in this study. There were 57 posterior fracture-dislocations and 5 anterior-obturator dislocations. All of the patients' charts were reviewed. The physical examinations and radiologic controls of the patients who were called for last follow-up examination were performed by the first two authors (V.S. and E.K.). Anterior and posterior fracture-dislocations were classified according to the classification system developed by Steward and Milford and femoral head fractures were classified according to the Pipkin classification. All of the hips were classified as very good, good, medium, fair, and poor according to the functional evaluation system described by Merle d'Aubigne. Statistical analysis of the results was performed. RESULTS: There were 47 male patients and 15 female patients, with ages ranging from 14 to 72 years (mean, 34.5 years). Traffic accidents constituted the leading cause of traumatic dislocation in this series (52 cases [83.9%]). Associated injuries were found in 44 cases (71%). Fifty patients were treated with closed reduction, and 12 patients were treated with open reduction. Thirty-five hips (56.5%) were reduced within 12 hours. Full weight-bearing was resumed between 2 and 10 weeks (average, 8 weeks) after injury. In follow-up periods ranging from 3.6 years to 18.4 years (mean, 9.6 years), 44 patients (71%) had very good or good to medium results. Ten patients (16.1%) developed late posttraumatic osteoarthritis of the hip, and 5 patients (9.6%) developed osteonecrosis of the femoral head. In this study, it is found that the time between injury and reduction and the associated injuries are the most important factors in long-term prognosis. CONCLUSION: We believe that good results were obtained in patients with early, stable, and accurate reductions by either closed or open methods. Concentric reduction absolutely should be confirmed by radiographs of the pelvis and, if necessary, by computed tomographic scan. The routine use of seat belts could have prevented many of these injuries.

Abstract: A systematic review of the literature was conducted to investigate data regarding femoral head fractures, particularly focusing on their management, complications and clinical results. Twenty-nine eligible articles, meeting prespecified inclusion criteria, reported on 453 femoral head fractures in 450 patients (mean age of 38.9 years with a mean follow-up of 55.6 months). 84.3% of patients had been victims of an automobile accident. The most widespread classification scheme used was that of Pipkin (65.4% of cases) whereas clinical results were evaluated mainly according to Thompson-Epstein criteria (63.3% of cases). Fracture-dislocations, in their majority, were managed with emergent closed reduction, followed by definite treatment (closed or open), aiming at anatomic restoration of both fracture and joint incongruity. Regarding Pipkin 1 subtype, fractured fragment excision seems to give better results compared to ORIF (p=0.07), while for the more challenging Pipkin 2 fractures the principles of anatomic reduction and stable fixation should be applied. Wound infection was encountered with a rate of 3.2% of surgical cases and sciatic nerve palsy complicated 3.95% of fracture-dislocations. Major late complications included avascular necrosis (11.9%), post-traumatic arthritis (20%) and heterotopic ossification (16.8%). Neither the trochanteric-flip nor the anterior approach seems to put in more danger the femoral head blood supply compared to the posterior one, with the former giving promising long-term functional results and lower incidence of major complication rates.

Abstract: Fracture of the femoral head after hip dislocation is a relatively rare injury often associated with a poor functional outcome. Twenty-six patients who sustained femoral head fractures were evaluated using radiographs, clinical examinations, and a validated outcome scoring system. The Short Form-12 was used to assess functional outcome. Patients whose fractures were stabilized with 3-mm cannulated screws and washers had a poor functional outcome. When evaluated with an odds ratio analysis, the use of Kocher-Langenbeck posterior approach was associated with a 3.2 times higher incidence of the patients having avascular necrosis develop when compared with the Smith-Petersen approach. A literature review combined with the current series confirms that the principles of early reduction of hip dislocation, early stabilization, anatomic reduction of the fracture, and rigid fixation are critical principles to attain good results. The Brumback classification system provides superior differentiation of different fracture types when compared with the Pipkin classification. The Smith-Petersen anterior surgical approach is recommended for the majority of patients with femoral head fractures. Three-millimeter cannulated screws with threaded washers are contraindicated for use in stabilizing femoral head fractures, and should not be used in any joint because of dissociation between the screw and the washer.