Fractures of the posterior wall of the acetabulum: treatment using cannulated screws

A total of 19 patients (16 males, 3 females) who had fractures of the posterior wall of the acetabulum were treated by open reduction and internal fixation. Their mean age was 40 years. There were five single-fragment fractures and 14 comminuted. Fifteen patients were treated by fixation with cannulated screws only and four were treated with cannulated screws and reconstruction plates. Reduction and fixation of fragments was facilitated, and soft tissue dissection minimized, by the use of cannulated screws. Clinical results were excellent in nine hips, very good in one, good in six, and poor in three after follow-up of more than 2 years. We think that preservation of the blood supply to the fracture fragments and careful placement of the fixation components is as important as rigid fixation of the fragments for the successful treatment of posterior-wall fractures of the acetabulum. The use of cannulated screws may be helpful for this purpose.