Author(s): Henriques, R ; Ramalho, D ; Soares do Brito, J ; Rocha, P ; Spranger, A ; Almeida, P
Date: 2019
Persistent ID: http://hdl.handle.net/10400.26/31120
Origin: Saúde - CUF
Subject(s): Luxação da Anca/cirurgia; Cabeça do Femur; Femur Head; Hip Dislocation/surgery
INTRODUCTION: Pipkin fractures are rare events and usually occur as a consequence for high-energy trauma. Surgery to obtain anatomical reduction and fixation is the mainstay treatment for the majority of these injuries; nonetheless, controversy exists regarding the best surgical approach. DESCRIPTION OF THE CASE: We present the case of a 41-year-old male, which sustained a type II Pipkin fracture following a motorcycle accident. In the emergency department, an emergent closed reduction was performed, followed by surgery five days later. Using a surgical hip dislocation, a successful anatomical reduction and fixation was performed. After three years of follow-up, the patient presented with a normal range of motion, absent signs for avascular necrosis or posttraumatic arthritis, but with a grade II heterotopic ossification. DISCUSSION: Safe surgical hip dislocation allows full access to the femoral head and acetabulum, without increasing the risk for a femoral head avascular necrosis or posttraumatic arthritis. Simultaneously, this surgical approach gives the opportunity to repair associated acetabular or labral lesions, which explains the growing popularity with this technique. CONCLUSION: Although technically demanding, safe surgical hip dislocation represents an excellent option in the reduction and fixation for Pipkin fractures.
