[Clinical and radiologic results of surgically-treated acetabular fractures]

We evaluated the functional and radiologic results of surgical treatment in patients with displaced acetabular fractures.

The study included 21 patients (13 males, 8 females; mean age 35 years; range 21 to 63 years). Before surgery, all the patients were evaluated with anteroposterior, iliac, and obturator oblique views and computed tomography scans. According to the Letournel-Judet classification, the fractures were simple in 10 patients and complex in 11 patients. Twelve patients had posterior wall and/or the posterior column fractures. Four patients underwent closed reduction under emergency settings for accompanying posterior dislocations. The mean time to surgery was 4.8 days (range 1 to 13 days). Surgery was performed by the Kocher-Langenbeck approach (n=12), a triradiate approach (n=5), and a modified extended iliofemoral approach (n=4). Functional results were assessed by the D'Aubigne-Postel's knee scoring system and radiologic results using anteroposterior, iliac, and obturator oblique views. The mean follow-up was 31 months (range 19 to 64 months).

Functional results were excellent in eight patients (38.1%), good in seven (33.3%), satisfactory in four (19.1%), and poor in two patients (9.5%). Radiologic examination showed posttraumatic arthrosis in four patients (19.1%), heterotopic ossification in three patients (14.3%), and avascular necrosis in two patients (9.5%). Radiologic results were excellent and good in 16 patients (76.2%), satisfactory in three patients (14.3%), and poor in two patients (9.5%).

Clinical and radiologic results showed concordance. The presence of dislocations and inadequate reduction were associated with poor functional results.