A 29-year-old man sustains a significantly displaced anterior column acetabular fracture with an associated anterior wall fragment. Surgical fixation is planned. The surgical approach that provides the best access to this fracture pattern while minimizing abductor muscle injury is:

• A Kocher-Langenbeck approach
• B Extended iliofemoral approach
• C Trochanteric flip osteotomy approach
• D Modified Stoppa (anterior intrapelvic) approach ✓

Explanation

Anterior column and anterior wall fractures are reached through anterior approaches. The modified Stoppa approach works through a midline or Pfannenstiel incision, reflects the iliac vessels, and exposes the pelvic brim and quadrilateral surface without detaching the abductors. Kocher-Langenbeck is a posterior approach suited to posterior wall and posterior column patterns, while the extended iliofemoral approach carries a higher rate of heterotopic ossification and abductor weakness.

Reference: Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics, 14th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.