Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 16, 2026
Individualized Stem-positioning in Calcar-guided Short-stem Total Hip Arthroplasty
Published on: February 27, 2018
Paediatric acetabular fractures. Data from the German Pelvic Trauma Registry Initiative
Johanna von Heyden1, Oliver Hauschild, Peter C Strohm
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Freiburg Medical Center, Freiburg, Germany.
Insights
Acetabular fractures are rare in children, with simple types more common and treated less often with surgery. These childhood injuries, often from high-impact accidents, still yield good clinical outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic surgery
- Pediatric traumatology
- Radiology
Background:
- Acetabular fractures are complex injuries typically seen in adults.
- Understanding pediatric acetabular fractures is crucial for appropriate management and outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the incidence, epidemiology, classification, treatment, and outcomes of pediatric acetabular fractures.
- To compare childhood acetabular fractures with adult cases.
Main Methods:
- Multicenter register study.
- Pooled data from three time periods (1991-93, 1998-2000, 2004-2008).
- Analysis of 153 children with pelvic fractures, including 15 with acetabular fractures.
Main Results:
- Pediatric acetabular fractures are rare (9.8% of pediatric pelvic fractures).
- Simple fracture types (Letournel classification) were more frequent in children (p < 0.01).
- Children received operative treatment less often, with good clinical results (Merle d'Aubigné score: 16.4, Karnofsky: 90%).
Conclusions:
- Acetabular fractures in childhood are uncommon injuries with unique characteristics.
- High-impact accidents are the usual cause.
- These fractures, though rare, generally have favorable outcomes in pediatric patients.
Abstract:
The aim of this study was to present an analysis of acetabular fractures during childhood as compared to those in adults. Within a multicenter register study, data of 3 time periods (1991-93, 1998-2000, 2004-2008) were pooled and analyzed for incidence, epidemiology, classification, outcome and treatment of acetabular fractures in children (< 15 years). One hundred fifty three children (2.1%) among 7360 patients with pelvic fractures were included in the study. Only 15 children sustained an acetabular fracture (9.8%). Simple fracture types according to Letournels' classification were more frequent in paediatric patients (p < 0.01), receiving less often operative treatment. Multiple injuries were present in 36% of children, the average Injury Severity Score (ISS) of all children was 17 points. Clinical results were good with an average Merle d'Aubigné score of 16.4 points and a Karnofsky performance of 90%. Fractures of the acetabulum in childhood remain a rare injury with distinct fracture characteristics, usually caused by high impact accidents.
