ABSTRACT
Between 1998 and 2002, 20 patients [16 males and 4 females, with an average age at time of surgery 44.1 years] with unilateral displaced acetabular fractures were treated surgically through the ilioinguinal approach and followed-up for an average time of 27.3 months [range 13-38 months]. The fracture types were ten anterior column, six associated both columns and two anterior fracture with posterior lip fracture. According to D'Aubigne and Postel scale, excellent and good clinical results were obtained in 13 patients, fair in 5 and poor in 2. The reduction was anatomical in 6 cases, satisfactory in 10 and unsatisfactory in 4 cases. The final radiographic results were considered excellent and good in 13 patients, fair in 6 and poor in 2 according to Matta's grading system. Complications were few, only two cases of superficial wound infection and one patient with permanent lateral cutaneous nerve of thigh injury. There were no reported cases of ectopic ossification in this series