Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 24, 2026
The Transition to an Anterior-Based Muscle Sparing Approach Improves Early Postoperative Function but is Associated with a Learning Curve
Published on: September 7, 2022
Achieving Anatomic Acetabular Fracture Reduction-When is the Best Time to Operate?
Steven K Dailey1, Caleb T Phillips, Joseph M Radley
1*Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH;†Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO; and‡Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Hamot, Erie, PA.
Objectives:
We hypothesize that earlier operative intervention for acetabular fractures improves the probability of achieving an anatomic reduction.
Design:
Retrospective review.
Setting:
Academic level I trauma center.
Patients/Participants:
Six hundred fifty acetabular fractures treated through open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) between September 2001 and February 2014.
Intervention:
Acetabular fracture ORIF.
Main Outcome Measurements:
Reduction quality was assessed through postoperative radiographs. Displacement of ≤1 mm was considered an anatomic reduction, 2-3 mm imperfect, and >3 mm poor.
Results:
Anatomic reductions were observed in 85% (n = 553) of cases, imperfect reductions in 11% (n = 74) of cases, and poor reductions in 4% (n = 23) of cases. Patients with anatomic reductions had significantly shorter times from injury to ORIF [odds ratio (OR) interval] (median, 3 d) when compared with either imperfect (median, 4.5 days, P = 0.02) or poor reductions (median, 7 days, P < 0.001) reductions. The OR interval of imperfect reductions was also significantly shorter than that of poor reductions (P = 0.02). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that OR interval had an effect of -0.12, meaning that the log odds of anatomic reduction decreases by 0.12 with each day from injury to ORIF.
Conclusion:
The interval from injury to operative fixation of acetabular fractures affects reduction quality. Earlier intervention improves the probability of achieving an anatomic reduction; therefore, ORIF should be performed as early as possible, provided the patient is optimized for surgery.
Level Of Evidence:
Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
More Related Videos
04:41Treatment with Locking Intramedullary Nailing for Intertrochanteric Fracture of the Femur Utilizing a New Awl with a Distal Positioner
Published on: June 6, 2025
04:19Minimally Invasive Treatment for Thoracolumbar Burst Fracture Using Sagittal Alignment Screws and A Trauma Reduction Device
Published on: November 8, 2024
