Randomized, controlled trial of the modified Stoppa versus the ilioinguinal approach for acetabular fractures.

The objective of this study was to determine whether the modified Stoppa approach or the ilioinguinal approach is better for the treatment of acetabular fractures by comparing the results of those 2 approaches. A randomized trial was undertaken of 60 consecutive patients with acetabular fractures treated with either the modified Stoppa or the ilioinguinal approach. In addition to the patients' demographics, the assessed preoperative parameters included fracture pattern, associated injuries, time to surgery, and Injury Severity Score; intraoperative parameters included blood loss and operative time for each procedure; and postoperative parameters included wound drainage, blood transfusion, perioperative complications, early operative complications, late operative complications, quality of reduction, radiological results, and clinical outcomes.