Osteotomy of the trochanter in open reduction and internal fixation of acetabular fractures.

Osteotomy of the trochanter can enhance lateral and posterior exposures of the acetabulum and the retro-acetabular space. Over a two-year period, an osteotomy of the trochanter was done in ten patients in connection with open reduction and internal fixation of a displaced acetabular fracture. The trochanter was reattached by two 6.5-millimeter cancellous screws. All of the osteotomies healed uneventfully, with no evidence of migration of the trochanter. Since these fractures tend to occur in younger patients who have healthy bone, non-union of the trochanter is unlikely to be a problem.