Percutaneous retrograde screwing for stabilisation of acetabular fractures.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the results of retrograde percutaneous screw fixation (PSF) in minimally or undisplaced acetabular fractures in a geriatric population.


METHODS
Between July 1998 and July 2001, 21 consecutive patients with an acetabular fracture underwent fluoroscopic guided percutaneous fixation. The mean age was 81 years (range 67--90 years). In all cases, the fracture was minimally or undisplaced (<2mm). Two cannulated cancellous 7.3mm screws were inserted in a retrograde fashion to stabilise the posterior and the anterior column. Bed to chair transfer began after 24h. Weight bearing as tolerated was allowed at 4 weeks.


RESULTS
Eighteen patients were reviewed at a mean of 3.5 years (range 2--5 years). Soft tissue dissection was minimal. There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications. At the latest follow-up there was no radiographical evidence of secondary displacement of fragments, degenerative changes, or screw failure. Fractures healed at a mean time of 12 weeks (range 8--15 weeks). Clinical results were satisfactory in 17 patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results show that percutaneous screw fixation under fluoroscopic control is a safe technique to treat some pattern of acetabular fracture.
Mouhsine
E
E
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Lausanne, Switzerland. elyazid.mouhsine@hospvd.ch
Garofalo
R
R
Borens
O
O
Wettstein
M
M
Blanc
C-H
CH
Fischer
J-F
JF
Moretti
B
B
Leyvraz
P-F
PF
D000077:Acetabulum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001863:Bone Screws; D005260:Female; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000379:methods*; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011859:Radiography; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology