Wire Fixation for Acetabular Fracture: Indication, Advantage and Technique

Rim, Yoon Taek; Lee, Keun Bae; Rowe, Sung Man; Chung, Jae Yoon; Song, Eun Kyoo

Abstract

PURPOSE: To review the clinical and radiological results after wire fixation for acetabular fracture, and determine its indications and advantages.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A clinical analysis was performed on 12 cases of displaced unstable acetabular fracture which had been fixed by wiring. They were evaluated after a mean follow up of 1.7 years. The fixation was done only by wires in 3 cases, wires with plates and screws in 7 cases and wires with screws in 2 cases.
RESULTS
Satisfactory results were achieved in 11 cases (91.7%) on clinical grade and 10 cases (83.4%) on radiographic grade according to Epstein criteria. Deep wound infection developed in 1 case and posttraumatic arthritis in 1 case.
CONCLUSIONS
The reduction and fixation could be easily performed with the use of wires in some specific cases. Wire could fix fractures with or without combined use of plates or screws. The fracture types that are thought to be ideal indication for wire fixation are (1) a fracture line that extends above the greater sciatic notch, (2) a transverse acetabular fracture that has an obliquity from anteroinferior to posterosuperior and (3) isolated anterior column fracture.