Treatment of Two-column Acetabular Fractures by Double Extrapelvic Approach: Three Clinical Cases

Fractures of two columns of the acetabulum according to the Letournel classification are among the most common in frequency, indication and surgical complexity. These are mainly the result of lateral compression mechanisms and are characterized by originating a disconnected acetabulum from the axial skeleton. Its surgical treatment may include: isolated anterior or posterior approach; combined, at the same surgical time or not; or broad approaches. The authors present another surgical option with association of the Kocher-Langenbeck pathway with the iliac crest approach simultaneously and in the same positioning (lateral decubitus) based on the first three clinical cases performed and their clinical and imaging results. In addition to the presentation of the cases, a description of the three characteristic fragments of this type of acetabular fractures, the approach pathway, and the reduction sequence performed are made. From the results obtained and the associated advantages, the authors believe that the addition of the iliac crest approach to the Kocher-Langenbeck pathway may be a very attractive option to consider in the surgical treatment of properly selected fractures of two columns of the acetabula.