A NEW INSTRUMENT FOR CERCLAGE WIRING IN I NTERNAL-FIXATION OF ACETABULAR FRACTURES

Open reduction with internal stabilization is considered to be the sta ndard therapy for the treatment of displaced acetabular fractures. The internal fixation is routinely achieved by the use of plates and scre ws. The use of cerclage wires and cables as a reduction aid and defini tive implant for stabilization has only occasionally been reported in the literature. The indication was mostly limited to use in elderly pa tients with insufficient bone stock. A newly instrument developed on t he basis of a standard bone elevator is presented. It allows a safe, s emiclosed application of a cerclage wire around the greater ischiatic notch through use of the second window of the ilioinguinal approach. A wide dissection at the ''outside'' of the pelvis is not necessary.