A short buttress plate fixation of posterior column through single ilioinguinal approach for complex acetabular fractures.

<bold>Purpose: </bold>The goal of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a new technique for posterior column fixation through the standard ilioinguinal approach.<bold>Methods: </bold>We conducted a retrospective review involving 33 consecutive patients with complex acetabular fractures treated using a short buttress plate fixation of posterior column through single ilioinguinal approach. Radiographic evaluation was performed using criteria described by Matta. Functional outcome was assessed using modified Postel Merle D'Aubigné score.<bold>Results: </bold>Between 2008 and 2013, 33 adult patients with mean age of 46 years and mean follow up of 37.5 months were enrolled. Anatomic reduction was obtained in 61 % of cases, imperfect reduction in 24 % of cases and poor reduction in 15 % of cases. The average modified Merle d'Aubigné score was 15: categorized as excellent in seven, good in 18, fair in three, and poor in four. One patient died at 15 days because of pulmonary embolism. Four patients sustained temporary lateral femoral cutaneous palsy. At final follow up, two patients had severe post-traumatic arthritis; one of them underwent a total hip arthroplasty at 93 months. None of the patients had loss of reduction.<bold>Conclusions: </bold>A short buttress plate fixation of posterior column through single ilioinguinal approach for complex acetabular fractures is a safe and effective method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]