title: Cable fixation in displaced fractures of the acetabulum: 21 patients followed for 2-8 years.
abstract: We evaluated the outcome in 21 patients having acetabular fractures who had been treated with a 2 mm-braided cable, alone (n = 6), or together with plate and screws. Reduction with a fracture gap of less than 2 mm was achieved in 20 cases. The operation lasted an average of 3 (1.5-4.8) hours. The average blood loss was 1.4 (1.3-2.8) L. No intraoperative complication occurred in relation to surgery. Postoperative complications included 2 cases each of posttraumatic arthritis and avascular necrosis of the femoral head. After a mean follow-up of 4 (2-8) years, the clinical outcome was excellent in 13, good in 3, fair in 3 and poor in 2, and the radiographic outcome was excellent in 10, good in 6, fair in 1 and poor in 4. We believe that cable fixation is a useful technique since the indirect reduction requires a limited exposure, avoids penetration of the screw into the joint, and improves fixation in patients with osteoporosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Keimyung University, Dongsan Medical Center 194, Dongsandong, Daegu, 700-712, Korea.
authors.forename: Chang Soo
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Byung Woo
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Min
mesh_terms: D000077:Acetabulum / Q000293:injuries* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001860:Bone Plates; D001863:Bone Screws; D001864:Bone Wires; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal; D017102:Fracture Healing / Q000502:physiology; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011859:Radiography; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology; D013997:Time Factors