Fractures around the Pelvis, Pelvic Rim & Acetabulum in the Elderly: Report on 54 Cases

Abstract

The authors report on 34 patients with a pelvic rim disruption who were treated with percutaneous 7.3 mm screws. This technique is less invasive and gives immediate comfort. Screws were placed with conventional fluoroscopic assistance. In four cases, the screw tip was protruding out of the pelvic bone, two malposition screws were in the back, and two were in the front of the pelvic ring. A revision was needed in one case. We also report on 20 elderly patients with a fracture dislocation of the hip that ran into the pelvis. Eight of them were anteromedial dislocations, and the rest were central dislocations of the femoral head. In the group of anteromedial fracture dislocations, the results were excellent, with an open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) achieved through a retroperitoneal approach. In the subgroup of central fracture dislocations, we performed the same type of osteosynthesis via the retroperitoneal approach. However, we obtained an excellent result for only two cases. We have a couple of results. First, a percutaneous screw fixation for pelvic fractures with fluoroscopic guidance gives excellent results in most cases. Second, central fracture dislocations of the hip perform poorly after osteosynthesis via the retroperitoneal approach. These fractures probably should be offered acute or delayed total hip arthroplasty (THA).