title: Complex acetabular fractures: a transtrochanteric lateral surgical approach.
abstract: Open surgery is recommended for complex fractures whenever primary conservative treatment fails to satisfactorily reduce the femoral head and the weight-bearing dome of the acetabulum. Surgical exposure has been a major problem in attempting open reduction of these fractures. The classification of acetabular fractures noted above is a useful guide to the indications for open operation. A transtrochanteric lateral approach provides a good extra and intraarticular access to the acetabulum. The excellent clinical results achieved in 28 cases of complex acetabular fractures with a mean of 5.7 year follow-up testify to the value of this approach.
mesh_terms: D000077:Acetabulum / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000592:standards; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000145:classification / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008722:Methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography