Pelvic and acetabular surgery within Europe: the need for the co-ordination of treatment concepts

Pelvic and acetabular injuries are rare and represent the tip of the trauma iceberg. They often present with other associated injuries. Their management can pose difficulties even to the most experienced trauma surgeons and well-developed trauma systems. Despite the advancements made after the 1960s due to Judet and Letournel's contributions, the pelvic and acetabular sub-specialty has had difficulty in consolidating experience and developing realistic treatment protocols. By means of sharing ideas and results, "learning curves" of individuals and nations could be shortened. As a result, better health quality and advanced medical facilities for our future patients may be anticipated. In this article we examine the current problems affecting the provision of a high quality pelvic and acetabular service and analyse the needs for the co-ordination of treatment concepts within the European Landscape.