Treatment of acetabular fractures in paediatric patients.

Background: Acetabular fractures are rare in children, constituting approximately 1-4.6% of all paediatric fractures.

Material And Methods: Nine patients (4 girls and 5 boys) with a mean age of 14.5 years (range, 12-16.5 years) were treated due to acetabular fractures between 2000 and 2020. Most of the fractures were caused by road accidents. Before the patients were qualified for treatment, they underwent a CT scan (all patients) and an MRI scan (8 patients) of the hip. Surgical treatment was used in 6 patients while the other 2 were managed conservatively.

Results: Mean follow-up period was 6.2 years (range, 2-10 years). Bone union was achieved in all patients after 76 days on average (range, 65-90 days). The mean Merle d'Aubigne score at 12 months after treatment was 17.1 points (range, 13-18 points).

Conclusions: The treatment of acetabular fractures in paediatric patients during or after puberty may be the same as in adults. An MRI scan of the hip joint is recommended for assessing the fracture, particularly the triradiate cartilage.