Isolated fracture of the anterior wall of the acetabulum: A rare fracture, even rarer in the skeletally immature patient. Report of two cases and literature review

Background Isolated anterior wall acetabular fracture (AWAF) is a rare injury in adults and even rarer among the skeletally immature population. Case presentation We present the cases of two skeletally immature patients (a 13-year-old boy [case #1] and a 10-year-old boy [case #2]) with displaced isolated AWAF, surgically treated using the Smith-Petersen approach with osteotomy of the anterior superior iliac spine. Results The patients were closely followed up for an average of 18 months, presenting normal function and a concentric hip. Despite the good functional outcome, the latest hip radiographs of case #2 showed initial signs of a bony bar in the triradiate cartilage and the presence of avascular necrosis of the femoral head. Conclusion We emphasize the importance of long-term follow-up for skeletally immature patients with this type of injury, given the high potential for complications.