Cerclage Wiring in Internal Fixation of Displaced Acetabular Fractures

PURPOSE: To evaluate the usefulness of wire fixation in displaced acetabular fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2000 to December 2005, 19 cases of displaced acetabular fracture were treated with wire fixation. According to Letournel's classification there were 9 both column fracture, 5 transverse fracture, 3 anterior column with posterior hemitransverse and 2 T-type fracture. Only wire fixation in 13 cases and wire with plate or wire with screw fixation in 6 cases. RESULTS: We evaluate the accuracy of reduction by Matta' criteria, anatomical reduction in 12 cases, incomplete reduction in 4 cases, poor reduction in 2 cases and surgical secondary congruence in 1 case. The clinical results showed excellent in 12 cases, good in 4 cases, fair in 2 cases and poor in 1 case. The radiological results showed excellent in 10 cases, good in 4 cases, fair in 3 cases and poor in 2 cases. There were 4 cases of complication; wound infection in 1case, post-traumatic arthritis in 1 case and heterotopic ossification in 2 cases. CONCLUSION: The cerclage wiring is a preferable method in internal fixation of displaced acetabular fractures that can facilitate reduction and achieve stable fixation.

Surgical Treatment of Displaced Acetabular Fractures / 대한정형외과학회잡지

Accurate anatomical reduction of the displaced acetabular fractures has a great clinical importance because acetabulum is related to weight-bearing and their fractures can lead to serious major sequelae. There are controversies and a lot of problems with regard to the management of the displaced acetabular fractures. The purpose of our study is to analyze the clinical results of operative treatment of the displaced acetabular fractures and to establish guidelines for treatment of their fractures. A clinical analysis was performed on 19 patients with displaced unstable acetabular fractures who had been operated on and followed for minimum 1 year period at Asan Medical Center from September 1989 to August 1992. The results were as follows: 1. The most common type was posterior wall fracture according to Letournel's classification. 2. Excellent or good results were obtained in 84% according to Goodwin's assessment method. All of the elementary fracture.s presented excellent or good results, while fair or poor results were observed in some T-shaped fractures or transverse and posterior wall fracture. 3. Complications were observed in 5 cases, including ectopic ossification(2 cases), traumatic arthritis(1 case), avascular necrosis of femoral head(1 case) and deep wound infection(1 case). Those seemed to be related with severe acetabular injury and extensive approach. 4. Kocher-Langenbeck approach was satisfactory for reduction and fixation of posterior column in transverse fracture, while extended iliofemoral approach was necessary for fixation of both column in T-shaped fracture. 5. Reduction of fracture of ilium was prerequisite for reduction of acetabular articular surface. 6. In displaced unstable acetabular fractures, early surgical intervention shich includes accurate anatomical reduction, and rigid internal fixation should be undertaken, and early joint motion should be followed to restore the joint function and to decrease the complication rate.