Modified Stoppa approach for operative treatment of acetabular fractures

Introduction: The (modified) Stoppa approach for acetabular fracture surgery has gained significant popularity and early results have been encouraging but clinical outcome at extensive follow-up is scarce. The purpose of this study is to provide an update on our experience with this approach for operative treatment of acetabular fractures and to assess clinical outcome at mid-term follow-up.
Methods: In this retrospective study, all patients treated operatively for an acetabular fracture using the Stoppa approach over a 10-year period were included. Surgery details were reviewed and patients were contacted and requested to return for follow-up. Primary outcome was native hip survivorship, secondary outcome measures included; functional outcome (Merle d'Aubiginé Harris hip) scores, health-related quality of life (short-form 36) and radiographic outcome (heterotopic ossification, hip osteoarthritis).
Results: Forty-five patients received operative fixation for 47 acetabular fractures using the Stoppa approach. Complications requiring surgical intervention were found in one patient (with a vascular lesion) intra-operatively and 3 patients (with wound infections (2) and diffuse bleeding (1)) post-operatively. Follow-up was 83% and 29/39 (74%) native hips survived at mean 59 months (SD 49) postoperatively. Excellent-good functional scores were found in 88% (Merle d'Aubiginé) and 76% (Harris hip) of patients who had retained their native hip. Most (6/8) short-form 36 indices in these patients were comparable to population norms. Of 29 native hips with radiographic follow-up (mean 59 months (SD 49), 4 (86%) had no-minimal radiographic abnormalities.
Conclusion: This study confirms that the Stoppa approach is a safe and effective technique for acetabular fracture fixation. Moreover, at mid-term follow-up, this approach is associated with satisfactory results in terms of hip survivorship as well as functional and radiographic outcome. As such, our findings reinforce the notion that this less invasive technique presents a valuable alternative to the ilioinguinal approach for the surgical treatment of acetabular fractures.