A Retrospective Analysis of the Functional and Radiological Outcomes of Surgically Treated Acetabular Fractures using the Modified Stoppa Approach

Purpose: To evaluate the functional and radiological outcomes of acetabular fractures treated with the modified Stoppa approach (mSA) at our department. Methods: : At our institution, the medical charts of patients diagnosed with an acetabular fracture were reviewed retrospectively. Patients who underwent surgery with the mSA between 2012 and 2020 were selected as core samples of this study. Results: : In total, 40 patients (24 males and 16 females) were operated on consecutively. The mean age was 37.4± 16.3 years. The mean preoperative duration was 4.5 ± 2.9 days. The mechanism of injury was motor vehicle accidents in 22 patients (55%). According to the Judet–Letournel classification, ten patients had fractures with anterior and posterior column types. According to Matta's criteria, the anatomical reduction achieved in 30 patients (75.0%) was poor in four and was imperfect in six. According to Matta's radiological staging, radiographic outcomes in 23 patients were excellent. The radiological stage was significantly better in elementary fractures than in complex fractures ( p = 0.02). Merle d'Aubigné’s hip score was excellent in 17 patients. Harris hip score was excellent in 22 patients, good in 15, moderate in two and poor in one. Intraoperative iliac vein injury developed in two patients, postoperative superficial infection in one and inguinal hernia developed in two during a mean follow-up period of 32.6± 23.9 months. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that the mSA is an appropriate treatment approach for many complicated acetabular fractures. This approach gave acceptable radiological and functional outcomes for the selected patients.