[Surgical and conservative therapy of fractures of the acetabulum--indications and results].

Between 1975 and 1983 38 patients with a fracture of the acetabulum were treated - 28 patients were operated upon, 10 patients were treated conservatively. 26 in 28 patients treated operatively and 8 in 10 patients treated conservatively could be checked up. 3 of the cases treated operatively could not be evaluated, as the operation had been realized less than two years before. Following an accurate indication for the operative treatment 14 in 23 patients proved an efficient osteosynthesis. In 5 in 8 cases treated conservatively good results were obtained. In aged patients and in certain types of fractures of the acetabulum, especially in comminuted fractures, conservative treatment is still justified.