1: J Orthop Trauma  2002 Sep;16(8):543-52 Surgical dislocation of the femoral head for joint debridement and accuratereduction of fractures of the acetabulum.Siebenrock KA, Gautier E, Woo AK, Ganz R.Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Berne, Switzerland.klause.sidenrock@insel.chOBJECTIVES: To evaluate fracture reduction, femoral head viability, and outcomeof selected acetabular fractures treated operatively using a modifiedKocher-Langenbeck approach with a trochanteric flip osteotomy and surgicaldislocation of the femoral head. DESIGN: Prospective. PATIENTS: Twelve patientspredominantly with combined transverse and posterior wall fractures ormultifragmentary posterior wall fractures. OUTCOME EVALUATION: Clinical andradiographic analysis after a minimum 2-year follow-up. METHODS: A singlemodified approach, including anterior ( = 8) or posterior ( = 4) surgicaldislocation of the femoral head, was done in 12 patients for one or more offollowing reasons: intra-articular assessment of reduction in fractures withcomminution, marginal impaction and involvement of the anterior column, removalof intra-articular fragments, and confirmation of extra-articular screwplacement. RESULTS: At a mean follow-up of 35 months (24-48 months), the 12patients presented with a good to excellent clinical result according to theD'Aubigne score. One patient developed postoperative osteoarthritic changesafter an imperfect reduction. No heterotopic ossification interfering with hipfunction was found. None of the hip joints developed signs of avascular necrosisof the femoral head, even though seven patients sustained a posteriordislocation at time of the injury. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that thistechnique for surgical dislocation of the femoral head is safe and facilitatesassessment of fracture reduction in selected acetabular fractures.PMID: 12352562 [PubMed - in process]