[Acetabular fractures--surgical versus conservative treatment]

In this paper the results of operative and conservative intervention of acetabulum fractures are analysed. It was possible to re-examine 80 of 146 Patients after a period of 5.46 years in mean. 23 patients were treated by osteosynthesis. Time from accident to operation was 13 days in mean. Posterior wall fractures seemed to be the most frequent (classified by Letournel). Results were evaluated according to the following criteria: clinical status (classified by the scheme of Merle d'Aubigne), X-ray, and subjective well-being. In the surgically treated group total hip prosthesis had to be implanted in five patients because of aseptic necrosis of the femoral head, 52.9% of the patients in this group had good results. In the conservative treated cases no total hip prosthesis had to be implanted. 77.8% of the patients had good results. A main aspect is that the average age of the patients who underwent a treatment by osteosynthesis is lower although the fractures were more severe.