[Surgical treatment of fractures of the acetabulum]

Since January 1988, 18 patients with acetabular fractures were operated on. Seven fractures were "both columns", six were posterior wall fractures, four were of the transverse/single column types, and one was unclassified. Four patients were operated by ileo-inguinal incision alone, three by combined ileo-inguinal and posterior Kocher-Langenbeck, ten by Kocher-Langenbeck, and one by triradiate incision. Early complications were 1 DVT and 1 infection (subsided after removal of the plate from crista iliaca). One patient with brain injury developed cerebral infarction, and one multi-traumatized patient died of lung embolus after transfer to another hospital. 11 patients are back at work, one has retired, and two are seeking new education after the injury. We conclude that operative treatment is indicated for these fractures, and that the results and rate of complications are acceptable. This treatment should be centralized.