The relevance of surgery in the acetabular injury management outcome

Med Arch. 2012;66(6):405-8. doi: 10.5455/medarh.2012.66.405-408.

Abstract

Introduction: The purpose of this article was to analyze diverse factors that affect the management outcome of the acetabular injury in different groups of patients.

Methods: The cohort of 103 patients suffering the acetabular fracture was analysed in a retrospective case-control study. The case group was comprised of 21 patients in whom the posterior acetabular wall was fractured and who were treated surgically, while the control group was formed from 82 conservatively treated patients suffering complex acetabular fracture. The appearance and rate of different complications, and the treatment overall length were observed as a measure of outcome.

Results: Lower limbs flebothrombosis and a pulmonary embolism were the most often complication in the control group of patients, but were rarely observed in surgically treated patients, in whom the management duration was considerably shorter. At a 3-year follow-up the acetabular injury management outcome in the case group was significantly better, compared to the control group of patients.

Conclusion: Surgery may improve the outcome and reduce the rate of complications and the length of treatment for the patients suffering the acetabular injury.

MeSH terms

  • Acetabulum / injuries*
  • Acetabulum / surgery
  • Adult
  • Female
  • Fractures, Bone / surgery*
  • Fractures, Bone / therapy
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged