Clinical and Radiological Outcomes of Patients With Anterior Acetabulum Fractures Treated by the Modified Stoppa Approach.

Introduction Acetabular fractures are intra-articular fractures involving the lower extremity's weight-bearing dome. These fractures require an anatomical reduction of the fracture fragments. This aim can be accomplished by the selection of an appropriate surgical approach. This study aimed to analyze the clinical and radiological outcomes of patients with fractures in the anterior part of the acetabulum who were treated by the modified Stoppa approach. Methods This prospective observational study was conducted from April 2022 to September 2023. The inclusion criteria were: (i) age between 18 and 70 years, (ii) displaced acetabular fracture (displacement > 3 mm), (iii) within three weeks of trauma (iv) acetabular fractures with involvement of anterior column. Exclusion criteria included: (i) patients with visceral injuries requiring colostomy, (ii) pathological fracture, (iii) open fractures of the acetabulum, and (iv) neglected fracture (more than three weeks). Intraoperative data regarding surgical time, amount of blood loss, and incidence of intraoperative complications were recorded. In the postoperative period, anteroposterior X-ray and Judet views of the pelvis X-ray were obtained. Matta criteria were used to judge the quality of Fracture reduction and fixation. All the patients to be included in this study had undergone a minimum follow-up duration of six months. At the last follow-up, an assessment of the functional outcome of the affected hip by Merle d'Aubigné Hip Score and Harris Hip Score was done. Results Twenty-four patients were included in the study. The mean patient age was 36.08±11.65 years. Eighteen patients were male (75%) and six patients were female in this study. All acetabular fractures were due to high-energy trauma: road traffic accidents in 22 cases (91%) and fall from height in two cases (9%). According to Judet & Letournel's classification, there were 13 T-type fractures, five transverse fractures, and six associated both column fractures. The mean duration of surgery was 152.08 ±29.19 minutes, and the mean intraoperative blood loss was 277.08±85.95 ml. Intraoperatively one unit of blood transfusion was done in most cases. There were intraoperative complications of rent in the external iliac vein in two patients. Postoperative X-rays showed anatomical reduction in 17 cases, imperfect reduction in five cases, and poor reduction in two cases. Functional outcome of the hip by Merle d'Aubigné Hip Score was very good in 15, good in four, fair in three, and poor in two patients. Similar functional outcomes were obtained with the Harris Hip Score. Conclusion The results of the current study demonstrated that the modified Stoppa approach allows good visualization of the pelvic brim, quadrilateral surface, and posterior column. Lesser experienced orthopedic surgeons should utilize this approach to get good radiological and functional outcomes.