A Comparison of Acetabular Fracture Management by the Ilioinguinal or the Modified Stoppa Approaches.

Background: This study compared the open reduction and internal fixation of acetabular fractures by the ilioinguinal and modified Stoppa approaches among patients presented to Zagazig University Hospitals from December 2019 to December 2021. Methods: All patients were operated upon from the second day to the thirteen-day after trauma. Spinal anesthesia was used for 4 patients, the rest by general anesthesia. Plain x- rays, Judet views, and CT scans were obtained for all patients. The reduction was graded on all 3 radiographic views using the scoring system published by Matta. Displacement greater than 3 mm on plain radiographic view indicated poor reduction. Displacement of 1-3mm or less was defined as a satisfactory reduction, and an anatomical reduction had 1mm or less displacement. Functional outcome was performed using the Modified Merle D’Aubigné score. Results: The study included 40 patients with a mean age of 36.4 years (±10.9), divided into two groups. There was no statistically significant difference in the preoperative time delay between the two groups (p= 0.772). The mean operation time and intraoperative blood loss were significantly higher among the ilioinguinal group than in the modified Stoppa group (all p<0 .001). The needed units were significantly higher in the Ilioinguinal group than in the modified Stoppa group (p= 0.005). The mean Merle d’aubigné score was 16.4 (±1.67) among the Ilioinguinal group and 16.6 (±1.53) among the modified Stoppa group, with no statistically significant difference between both groups. Conclusions: The modified Stoppa approach may be an excellent alternative to the classic ilioinguinal approach in treating anterior acetabular fractures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]