Clinical Results of Surgical Treatment of Acetabular Fractures according to Quality of Reduction

Abstract

Purpose: To analyze postoperative clinical and radiological results of displaced acetabular fractures and to determine the factors affecting the clinical results. Materials and Methods: Clinical analysis was performed on 51 patients with displaced acetabular fractures who had been operated on and followed up for a minimum of 1 year. The mean follow-up duration after surgery was 45 months (range, 12 to 67 months). The outcome was analyzed clinically using Postel's clinical grade criteria and radiologically using Mattas roentgenographic grading system. Results: There was a statistical relationship between the type of fracture patterns (Letournel classification) and the degree of immediate postoperative reduction (p＜0.05). A comparison of the radiological and clinical results at the last follow-up revealed a good correlation between good or excellent radiology results and good or excellent clinical results (p＜0.05). The factors affecting the clinical outcomes of the last follow-up were the type of fracture (Letournel classification), the presence or absence of a femoral head injury and the degree of immediate postoperative reduction. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that the degree of reduction was closely related to the clinical result. Therefore, it is important in the surgical treatment of the acetabular fractures to classify the fractures accurately, reduce the fragments anatomically and minimize the complications.