Perioperative Complications Associated with Operative Treatment of Acetabular Fractures

BACKGROUND: Perioperative complications in a large number of consecutive patients with displaced acetabular fractures treated operatively were evaluated in an effort to elucidate potentially preventable complications. METHODS: Perioperative complications were identified and evaluated in 131 consecutive patients with displaced acetabular fractures treated operatively using the Kocher-Langenbeck surgical exposure. The perioperative complications were identified using a registry. RESULTS: There were a total of 76 complications related to the acetabular fracture and patient polytrauma. Eighteen complications resulted from technical errors and the patient's postoperative course. Obese patients frequently had unusual perioperative complications. CONCLUSION: Perioperative complications occur commonly in patients with displaced acetabular fractures treated operatively using a Kocher-Langenbeck surgical exposure. Some of these complications may be avoidable, and are related to polytrauma. Most technical complications should be avoidable. Unusual complications were identified, especially in obese patients.