A Comparison between Anterior Approaches Versus Posterior Surgical Approach in Acetabular Fractures

Acetabular fractures still are challenging fractures، and it is because of complex anatomy، that hampers the surgical access to fracture sites. Proper evaluation and surgical planning is necessary to achieve anatomic reduction of the articular surface and stable fixation of the pelvic ring. The goal of this study was to evaluation the anterior surgical approach versus posterior surgical approach in Acetabula Fractures.

These historical cohorts a group of patients with acetabular fractures were evaluated. Patients were treated with ileoingunal or kocher-L surgical methods that are anterior and posterior approaches succeedingly. Anatomical reduction was determined by plain radiographic or CT scan imaging methods، and satisfactory functional outcome was determined by The Merle d’Aubigné Hip Score Method.

From 77 patients 55 (71. 4%) were men and 22 (28. 6%) were women with mean age of 39 years. Anatomical reduction based on imaging methods was happened in 93. 5% of patients with anterior approach and in 82. 9% with posterior approach. Main complication in a patients were post-operative heterotopic ossification in one patient who was treated by combined approach and sciatic nerve palsy in 3 patient (3. 8%) with posterior column fractures who were treated with posterior approach.

Clinical outcome of patients was not significantly difference between two methods and the final results of both methods are successful. Preoperative examination is important to select the best surgical approach.