Early Results of Surgical Treatment of Acetabular Fractures

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate and compare the early follow-up results of twenty-six acetabular fractures treated operatively with previous reports.
Patients and methods: Twenty-six patients with acetabular fractures after high-velocity trauma were included in the study. Fractures were classified according to Letournel and Judet classification. The mean follow-up was 13 months (8-23 months). Results were evaluated according to Kebaish et al. criterias.
Results: Nine (34.6%) posterior column, 8 (30.7%) both column, 5 (19.2%) transverse type, 2 (7.6%)transverse and posterior wall, 1 (3.8%) T-type, 1 (3.8%) anterior wall fracture. The mean follow-up was 13 months (8-23 months). According to Kebaish et al. criterias the results were 60.8% satisfactory and 39.1% fair or bad.
Conclusion: As acetabular fractures are caused by high-velocity traumas there may be other organ injuries at the same time. Surgical procedures should be taken into consideration as soon as the patients general status is stabilized. Soft tissue contractures and fracture site resorption can cause difficulties and raise the complication rate in the late-attempts. Early rehabilitation in the postoperative period improves the outcome of the surgical treatment. We believe that appropriate surgical approach and careful retraction should lower the heterotopic ossification and iatrogenic complication rate.