Radiological Outcome of the Gradual Increase in Skeletal Traction in Acetabular Fracture.

This prospective study aimed to assess the effect of gradual increment of vector traction weight on reducing displaced acetabular fractures preoperatively. Conducted at Hospital Tuanku Jaafar, Seremban, Malaysia, between June 2016 and December 2017, 21 patients with displaced acetabular fractures were included. Traction was applied using supracondylar and lateral methods, with reduction assessed by serial radiographs. Displacement was defined as greater than 2 cm in both iliopectineal and ilioischial lines. The majority of patients were male with 23 (82.1%) patients and 21 of them (75.0%) having fractures caused by road traffic accidents. Fracture reduction was achieved in 18 cases, with traction weight ranging from 5% to 33.33% of body weight. Traction applied within seven days of trauma significantly improved fracture reduction (p = 0.025). Complications, including pain and pin-tract infection, occurred in 17.9% of cases, but traction weight and duration did not significantly affect complications. The study concludes that vector traction of approximately 20% body weight effectively reduces displaced acetabular fractures preoperatively.