Treatment of Acetabulum Anterior Wall Fractures Using the Modified Stoppa Approach

Introduction The objective of this study was to describe the modified Stoppa approach for anterior wall fracture fixation and to present our radiological and functional results of this approach. Materials and methods Between April 2013 and December 2019, 256 acetabular fractures operated with the modified Stoppa approach in our clinic were retrospectively reviewed, and 11 patients who were operated for anterior acetabular wall fractures with at least two years of follow-up were included in the study. Results The median amount of bleeding during surgery was found to be 450 ml (200-800), and the median operation time was 120 minutes (90-180). The modified Merle d'Aubigne and Postel Hip Score (MDS), modified Harris Hip Score (HHS), Mattas Reduction Criteria (MRC), and Kellgren-Lawrence Classification (KLC) outcomes are similar to the anterior surgical approach. Conclusion We suggest that the modified Stoppa approach can be safely used in the surgical treatment of isolated anterior acetabular fractures due to its short operative duration, low amount of bleeding, low complication rate, and favorable radiological and clinical results. The modified Stoppa procedure is a considerable alternative to the ilioinguinal approach in anterior acetabular fractures.