Accuracy of reduction and early clinical outcome in acetabular fractures treated by the standard ilio-inguinal versus the Stoppa/iliac approaches

In acetabular fractures, the correct choice of the surgical approach is mandatory to achieve accurate reduction and to avoid complications. Anterior approaches include the ilio-inguinal, the Stoppa, the ilio-femoral and the para-rectal exposures. The first two are the most commonly used approaches nowadays. The aim of this study was to compare these two approaches. The standard three window ilio-inguinal approach was compared to the intra-pelvic Stoppa approach with an added iliac window. The study enrolled 54 patients. Patients were divided into two groups. The first group consisted of 33 patients presented with acetabular fractures and had ORIF starting with an ilio-inguinal exposure. This group was compared to a second group of 21 patients who were treated with the Stoppa/iliac window approach. All patients were treated by one surgical team. The accuracy of reduction, the early clinical results and the approach related complications were compared.