Acetabular Fractures in the Senior Population– Epidemiology, Mortality and Treatments

Background:Management of acetabular fractures in the senior population can be one of the most challenging injuries tomanage. Furthermore, treating surgeons have a paucity of information to guide the treatment in this patient population.The purpose of this study was to determine: (1) demographic and epidemiologic data, (2) mortality rates for nonoperativecompared to operative management at different time points, (3) common fracture configurations, and (4) fracture fixationstrategies in senior patients treated with acetabular fractures.Methods:Retrospective review of prospectively gathered data at a Level I trauma center over a fiveyear period. 1123acetabular fractures were identified. 156 of them were for patients over the age of 65 (average age of 78).Results:Falls and motor vehicle accidents accounted for the two most common mechanisms of injury. 82% of patientshad significant medical comorbidities. 51 patients (33%) died within one year, in which 75% of them died within 90 daysof their acetabular fracture. 84% of the deceased patients, i.e. from the group of 51 patients, had nonoperative treatment.For patients treated with traction alone, there was a 79% oneyear mortality and 50% mortality rate within 90 days. Withinthe entire cohort, 70% had either an associated bothcolumn (ABC) or anterior column/posterior hemitransverse (AC/PHT)fracture pattern. Fiftyseven patients (36.5%) underwent open reduction and internal fixation using standard reductiontechniques and surgical implants via two main surgical exposures of ilioinguinal (69%) and KocherLangenbeck (29%).Conclusion:Geriatric patients with acetabular fractures are uncommon accounting for only 14% of all acetabularfractures. Patients who undergo surgery show lower mortality rates. ABC and AC/PHT fracture patterns are the two mostcommon fracture patterns. Routine fixation constructs and implants can be used to manage these challenging fractures.Most patients are unable to return to their homes and instead require skilled nursing facility during their convalescence.