The Outcomes of Acetabular Fractures Treated Surgically and Factors Affecting the Result The Results of Acetabular Fractures

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the radiological and clinical outcomes of surgically treated acetabular fractures. Material and Method: A total of 30 patients with acetabular fracture who had presented to the Orthopedics and Traumatology Department of Yuzuncu Yil University Medical Faculty between January 2009 and December 2013 and undergoing surgery were included in the study. The number of males was 25 (83.3%), and the number of females was 5 (16.7%). The ages of the patients varied between 18 and 68 (mean: 40) years. The indications for surgery were: more than 3 mms of dislocation in one of the three X-Rays obtained (antero-posterior, obturator oblique and iliac oblique), intra-articular piece of the fracture and posterior instability. Results: 20 (66.7%) and 10 (33.7%) patients had acetabular fractures in the right and left hips, respectively. The most common cause of trauma was falling from a height. According to the classification of Letournel, 18 patients (60%) had complex and 12 patients (40%) had simple fractures. 13 patients (43.5%) had additional traumatic hip dislocation. Following the surgical intervention, 13 patients (43.3%) had anatomical reduction and 4 (13.3%) had poor reduction. The patients were followed-up for a mean duration of 28 months. According to the radiological criteria of Matta, 13 patients (43.3%) had excellent, 11 (36.6%) had good, 4 (13.3%) had moderate, and 2 (6.6%) had poor outcomes. According to the clinical recovery criteria of Merle d'Aubigne and Postel, 7 patients (23.3%) had very good, 15 (50%) had good, 4 (13.3%) had moderate, and 4 (13.3%) had poor outcomes. Discussion: It was concluded that the quality of reduction affected the clinical and radiological outcomes, and that this effect depended on the simple or complex nature of the fracture. Successful and satisfactory results may be obtained by selecting the correct incision method for the fracture type, advanced surgical experience and careful post-operative patient follow-up.