[Operative management of acetabular fracture]

To investigate the indication, operative approach, postoperative management, and complication of acetabular fracture.

Sixty-eight patients (51 males, 17 females; age 15-65 years) with acetabular fracture were reviewed retrospectively. Among the patients, 55 were injured in the traffic accidents and 13 were injured in the falls (acute injury in 60, old injury in 8). According to the Letournel classification, 16 had a fracture of the posterior wall, 13 had a fracture of the posterior wall and posterior column, 12 had a fracture of the anterior wall and anterior column, 8 had a fracture of the anterior and posterior column, and 19 had a transverse acetabular fracture. All the patients underwent an operative treatment.

There was no injury to the nerves and blood vessels during the operation. According to the 1-12-year follow-up for 51 patients, 26 (51.0%) patients had an excellent function, 17 (33.3%)had a good function, 6 (11.8%) had a fair function, and 2 (3.9%) had a poor function. The excellent and good rate was 84.3%. After operation, heterotopic ossification was observed in 4 patients, and necrosis of the femoral head in 2 patients.

Operative management should be performed as soon as possible in the patients with a displaced acetabular fracture. Recovery of the stability of the acet cartilage is important to the recovery of the function. tawulum and smoothness of the acetabular articular