Cable fixation in displaced fractures of the acetabulum: 21 patients followed for 2-8 years.
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.
Kang
Chang Soo
CS
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Keimyung University, Dongsan Medical Center 194, Dongsandong, Daegu, 700-712, Korea.
Min
Byung Woo
BW
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