THE EXTENDED ILIOINGUINAL APPROACH FOR SPECIFIC BOTH COLUMN FRACTURES

The surgical approach for exposure of an acetabular fracture is determ ined by Letournel's fracture classification. Both column fractures typ ically can be treated through the ilioinguinal approach. If a fracture extends posteriorly to involve the sacroiliac joint or the sciatic bu ttress, exposure through the ilioinguinal approach can be quite diffic ult and the extended iliofemoral approach is often recommended. The au thors have combined the ilioinguinal and the posterior approach to the sacroiliac joint into one incision termed the extended ilioinguinal a pproach. Six patients were treated by this approach. The approach allo ws improved visualization and should prevent some morbidity usually as sociated with the extended iliofemoral approach, Perfect or near perfe ct reductions were achieved in all cases. The extended ilioinguinal ap proach can be useful when treating both column fractures extending pos teriorly to involve the sacroiliac joint or the sciatic buttress.