Heterotopic ossification prophylaxis following operative treatment of acetabular fracture.

Eighty seven patients with 88 fractures were retrospectively reviewed to assess the effect of postoperative prophylaxis on the formation of heterotopic ossification (HO). Sixty eight patients with 69 acetabular fractures were followed for an average of 21 months (range, 3-98 months). The grade of HO was assessed using the Brooker classification system. Thirty four fractures had no prophylactic treatment, 30 were treated prophylactically with indomethacin, two with radiation therapy, and three with both indomethacin and radiation. Twenty (59%) of 34 untreated fractures developed HO, of which nine (26%) were Grade III or IV. Thirteen (43%) of 30 fractures treated with indomethacin developed HO, of which 5 (16%) were Grade III and none were Grade IV. Twenty one of 24 fractures were stabilized through the extended iliofemoral approach; 13 of these had no prophylaxis. Eleven of the 13 developed HO; eight were Grade III or IV (62%). Seven of eight fractures treated with indomethacin following the extended iliofemoral approach developed HO; one was Grade III (13%) and non Grade IV. There was no significant difference between 13 patients who were not treated prophylactically and 18 indomethacin treated patients stabilized through the Kocher-Langenbeck approach. Only one of 11 patients had HO (Grade I) following an ilioinguinal approach. Postoperative radiation therapy, with or without indomethacin, resulted in three patients with Grade 0 HO (all radiated 1-4 days post surgery), one with Grade II (radiated postoperative Day 8), and one with Grade III HO (significant delay in surgery with preoperative Grade III HO of the hip).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)