Contemporary view on acetabular fracture

Fractures of the acetabulum are high-energy injuries. They mostly affect young adults and can cause severe disability. The type of fracture depends on the mechanism of trau­ma and the position of the body at the time of the accident. Proper treatment of acetabular fractures demands good knowledge of three-dimension­al anatomy of the pelvis. Our goal in acetabular fracture treatment is to accomplish anatomical reduction of bone fragments of the articular sur­face, which can be achieved mostly by surgery. Since none of the operative approaches available can demonstrate the entire acetabulum, sever­al surgical techniques must be utilized. Some early and late postoperative complications are highlighted at the end of the article.