Acetabular fractures: an analysis on clinical outcomes of surgical treatment

Abstract

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Acetabulum fractures are among the most serious injuries treated by orthopedic surgeons. People of all ages are vulnerable to these injuries. ORIF is considered the right treatment method for acetabular fractures. Patients who underwent this treatment had a good result. For the general orthopedic surgeon the treatment for displaced acetabular fracture is a challenging task. The aim of the study was to evaluate the functional outcome of surgically treated acetabular fractures.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> A prospective longitudinal study was undertaken in our hospital during the period of June 2011–June 2015. A total number of 32 patients were included in the study. All patients with the history of fall and pain in the pelvic region were examined clinically and radiologically by doing an X-ray of plain AP view of the pelvis as well as CT-scan. Fractures that were displaced by more than 5 mm with concomitant disruption of the bony continuity of the acetabular dome were treated surgically. The follow-up schedule was 3, 6 and 12 months post-operatively and subsequently at two years when the operative outcome had been finalized and final evaluation of fracture healing and functional outcome was performed.<strong></strong></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> Radiologic evaluation showed 88.5% of excellent or good results and 12.5% of fair or poor results, while clinical evaluation showed 90.6% of excellent or good results and 9.4% of fair or poor results. The clinical evaluation was done for the patients based on the D’Aubigne-Postel criterion. . Based on this criterion 90% of the patients had shown good to excellent results and for the remaining 10% of the patients it was between poor and fair.</p><p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> In acetabular fractures open reduction and internal fixation was consistent with better anatomical reduction and functional outcome provided when it is carried out by an experienced surgeon and intervened within the first few days following the injury. </p>