Examination Under Anesthesia for Posterior Wall Acetabular Fracture A Survey of the OTA Membership.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this survey was to learn more about the indications, criteria, and methods surgeons use for performing examination under anesthesia (EUA) for "intermediate" sized posterior wall acetabular fractures (those involving 20% to 40% of the posterior wall) and to find what criteria are used to determine hip instability.


METHODS
An 18 question survey was posted on the Ortho- paedic Trauma Association's website and was used to gather anonymous data from orthopaedic surgeons regarding their approach to the intermediate sized posterior wall fracture.


RESULTS
Considerable variability existed among re- sponses to many of the questions asked. Based on the an - swers given to the survey, a consensus of 75% or more of respondents was found for the following: 1. Supine position for the examination (100%); 2. "Live" fluoroscopy is used during the examination (97%); 3. The AP and obturator oblique are the x-rays most frequently used (81% and 76%, respectively); 4. The hip is placed in flexion and adduction during the exam (100% and 84%, respectively); 5. Axial load is applied during the examination (90%); Finally, 6. instabil - ity is defined as subluxation on exam by most respondents (98%), and any perceived visible subluxation is what defines instability (88%).


CONCLUSIONS
Most surgeons agreed with the following: 1. Supine is the position of choice for the examination; 2. "Live" fluoroscopy is used during the examination; 3. The AP and obturator oblique are the x-rays most frequently used; 4. The hip is placed in flexion and adduction during the exam; 5. Axial load is applied during the examination; and 6. Instability is defined as subluxation on exam.
John
J
Riehl
Kenneth
K
Koval
Joshua
J
Langford
Mark
M
Munro
George
G
Haidukewych
D000077:Acetabulum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries / Q000503:physiopathology; D000768:Anesthesia, General / Q000639:trends*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005471:Fluoroscopy / Q000639:trends; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006621:Hip Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D000072161:Orthopedic Surgeons / Q000639:trends*; D056888:Patient Positioning / Q000639:trends; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000639:trends*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D016683:Supine Position; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000639:trends