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Published on: September 7, 2022
Direct hip joint distraction during acetabular fracture surgery using the AO universal manipulator
L Afshin Calafi1, M L Chip Routt
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Washington, Harborview Medical Center, Seattle, Washington 98104, USA. calafi@hotmail.com
Abstract:
Certain acetabular fractures may necessitate distraction of the hip joint for removal of intra-articular debris and assessment of reduction. Distraction can be accomplished by manual traction, using a traction table or an AO universal manipulator (UM). The UM is a relatively simple and an inexpensive device that can provide focal distraction in a controlled manner without the risks associated with the use of a traction table. We describe a technique using the UM for hip joint distraction during acetabular fracture surgery through a Kocher-Langenbeck surgical exposure.
