Modified Ilioinguinal Approach to Treat Pelvic or Acetabular Fractures: A Retrospective Study

The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential advantages and clinical results of a modified minimally invasive ilioinguinal approach for the treatment of acetabular or pelvic fractures to the results obtained using a standard ilioinguinal approach. Forty-six patients who were diagnosed as having anterior column acetabular fractures or anterior pelvic ring fractures underwent open reduction and internal fixation through 2 different surgical approaches between June 2008 to June 2012 in our trauma center was studied. The modified ilioinguinal group included 20 patients and the other 26 patients were in the standard ilioinguinal approach group. The clinical and radiographic results were recorded and compared between the 2 groups. There were no significant differences between 2 groups in the mean age, sex, fractures type, and causes of acetabular or pelvic fractures. The mean blood loss in the modified group was 560.0 ± 57.3 mL versus 850.0 ± 59.0 mL in the standard ilioinguinal group. The operative time was significantly reduced with modified ilioinguinal approach (86.0 ± 4.56 min vs. 101.9 ± 5.38 min). The mean hospital stay was 16.8 ± 0.58 days and 18.7 ± 0.52 days in the modified and standard ilioinguinal groups, respectively. According to the Matta score, the quality of reduction between the 2 groups was not significantly different. The complication rate was low in the modified group but not significantly different between the 2 groups. Forty-two patients were followed up with clinical examination and radiographs at a mean of 15.2 months. Solid union was observed in 42 cases at a mean time of 14.8 weeks. The mean Harris Hip Score and the Majeed scores at the time of evaluation were not significantly different between the 2 groups. On comparing the 2 surgical ilioinguinal approaches, it was found that using modified ilioinguinal approach decreased operative time and blood loss, and did not affect the quality of fracture reduction and fracture healing. This study demonstrates that the modified ilioinguinal approach is a simple and minimally invasive approach for anterior column acetabular fractures and pubic rami fractures comparing with the standard ilioinguinal approach.