Short-Term Results in Operative and Non-Operative Treatment of Unstable Acetabular Fracture

Acetabular fracture is a common injury with unclear treatment outcome. We are reporting the results of treatment of unstable acetabular fractures comparing operative with non-operative treatment in a small group of patients.

In a retrospective study in a teaching hospital 20 cases of unstable acetabular fracture treated with open reduction and internal fixation were compared with 20 cases who had been treated non-surgically. The mean age was 34.5 years old (20-50 yrs old). The early clinical resuts including complications and also treatment costs were compared in those two groups.

There was no significant difference in the level of function between the two groups.There was a higher rate of heterotopic ossification and nerve injury in the operated cases but not statistically significant. The time to fracture union was less in the non-operated cases. The hospital cost was significantly higher in the non-operative group (p