Vol. 5, Issue 1, Part A (2023)

Background: One of the most difficult orthopedic injuries to treat effectively is an acetabular fracture. These fractures frequently occur from relatively minor falls, especially in elderly patients. The aim of the study was to assess managing specific acetabular fractures short-term outcomes using a technique that involves manipulative reduction and percutaneous fixation with cannulated compression screws.
Methods: This retrospective study involved 20 patients with either non-displaced or minimally displaced acetabular fractures, all of whom were treated with fixation by percutaneous screws in Shebin El-Kom Teaching Hospital. All patients underwent a comprehensive medical history review, a thorough clinical examination, and routine preoperative laboratory tests, and radiological studies of fracture pattern including plain films and computed tomography with 3D reconstruction.
Results: Intraoperative complications were encountered in 2 patients (10%). Postoperative complications were experienced in 4 patients (20%); 2 patients had fracture gapping (10%), and 2 patients had cortex penetration (10%). Delayed / difficulty in postoperative weight bearing was encountered in 3 patients (15%). Harris hip scores (HHS) ranged from 76 to 90 with a mean of 83.2±4.2 at 3 months, raised to be ranging from 80 to 96 with a mean of 83.2±4.2 at 6 months and 88 to 100 with a mean of 95.6±3.7 at 12 months postoperatively. Patients with perioperative complications showed older age, longer procedure time and longer C-arm exposure.
Conclusions: Percutaneous fixation guided by fluoroscopy is an easy and safe way to treat acetabular fractures that are not comminuted and have minor displacement.