The Operative Treatment of Acetabular Fracture

Hwang, Deuk Soo; Rhee, Kwang Jin; Yang, Jun Young; Lee, Jang Ik

Abstract

PURPOSE: To analysis clinical and radiological result of surgically treated acetabular fractures and to present appropriate surgical approach for fracture type. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A review of 51 surgically treated acetabular fractures, treated between April 1988 and October 1996, using single surgical exposures and combined surgical exposures was conducted. The classification was used Judet & Letournel,s classification and the surgical approach was applied Kocher-Langenbeck, Ilioinguinal, and Combined approach according to fracture aspect. The result was rated on a radiographic as well as a clinical result scale based on Matta,s.
RESULTS
The most common fracture was 14 posterior wall fracture and 7 transverse fracture. the surgical approach was applied Kocher-Langenbeck 29 cases, ilioinguinal 10 cases, and combined approach 8 cases, triradiate approach 2 cases and Extended iliofemoral approach 1 case. A satisfactory reduction was obtained in 87% of the cases (concentric, gap < 3mm). Clinical results were excellent in 28%, good in 54%, fair in 12%, and poor in 6%. Radiologic results at followup indicated 40% excellent results, 35% good results, 16% fair results, and 9% poor results. Postoperative complications appeared in 7 cases including posttraumatic arthritis 2 cases. Two patients later required total hip arthroplasty for avascular necrosis of femoral head and posttraumatic arthritis.
CONCLUSION
Ilioinguinal approach was good method for access to the anterior wall and column fracture, but in case of severe comminuted medial wall fracture company with anterior column, internal fixation is impossible. So, accurate assesment of the fracture pattern by careful radiologic analysis is essential. The posterosuperior dome fracture is important to anatomical reduction because of high risk of posttraumatic arthritis. In case of Transverse fracture, T-shape fracture, and both column, the more displaced column was reduced first, followed by opposite column after reduction identify by intraoperative radiography. We can be attained satisfactory reduction. Therefore, combined approach was good surgical method for this complex fracture.