Clinical Application of Operative Treatment of Acetabular Fractures Using a Modified Stoppa Ap-proach

Abstract：Objective To report clinical results of operative treatment of acetabular fractures using a modified Stoppa ap-proach. Methods From January 2006 to January 2011,28 patients(55 men,31 women)with acetabular fractures were treated using a modified Stoppa approach. They age ranged from 26 to 52 years(mean 36. 5years). Operative time after injury was from 3 days to 9 days(mean 7 days). The type of fracture included anterior column or wall fractures,transverse fractures and two column fractures. The approach involves a transverse skin 12 cm incision 2 cm above the pubic symphysis followed by a midline split of the rectus abdominis. Access to the intrapelvic aspect of the pelvis and acetabulum was gained by retraction of the muscular and neurovascular structures. Results Follow-up period ranged from 2. 5 ~ 6 years(mean 4. 5 years)postopera-tively. All fractures healed 8 ~ 12 weeks(mean 10 weeks). There was no heterotopic ossification,major vascular injury and iat-rogenic nerve palsy. There was no apparent complications related to the technique. The recovery rate was calculated with Matta scores. Clinical results were excellent in 18 cases,good in 7,fair in 2,poor in 1. The rates of excellent and good was 89. 28% . Satisfactory clinical results were obtained in this series. Conclusion The modified Stoppa approach offers a new surgical method for fixation of displaced acetabular fractures. The approach offers improved reduction and fixation of acetabular frac-tures.