Minimally displaced acetabulum fractures in geriatric patients: a comparison of open, percutaneous and non-operative treatment from the German Pelvic Injury Register data

Purpose In elderly patients with minimally displaced acetabulum fractures, the patients’ inability to partially weight-bear and the need for early mobilisation may trigger the decision towards a treatment with higher primary stability. The purpose of this study was to compare open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF), closed reduction and percutaneous fixation (CRPIF) and non-operative treatment in geriatric minimally displaced acetabulum fractures with regard to complications and quality of reduction. Methods Data from the prospective German Pelvic Injury Register collected between 2008 and 2018 were used to evaluate 608 geriatric patients with isolated minimally displaced (≤ 5 mm) acetabulum fractures. In total, 429 received non-operative treatment, 117 ORIF and 62 CRPIF. Demographics, injury severity, fracture pattern, complications and fracture displacement before and after treatment were analysed. Results Both operative methods reduced fracture gap displacement. CRPIF was associated with lower blood loss and shorter operative time compared to ORIF ( p