Ten-year trends of of acetabular fractures profile in a trauma center

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Published Apr 1, 2026
https://doi.org/10.62438/tunismed.v104i02.6452
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Vol. 104 No. 02 (2026): Tunis Med Fev 2026

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Mohamed Amine Selmene
Orthopedic surgery department,Trauma and burns center,  2013, Ben Arous,  Faculty of medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar,1006, Tunisia
Hazem Boumaiza
Orthopedic surgery department,Trauma and burns center,  2013, Ben Arous,  Faculty of medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar,1006, Tunisia
Khaled Messaoudi
Orthopedic surgery department,Trauma and burns center,  2013, Ben Arous,  Faculty of medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar,1006, Tunisia
Hedi Annabi
Orthopedic surgery department,Trauma and burns center,  2013, Ben Arous,  Faculty of medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar,1006, Tunisia
Sami Bahroun
Faculty of medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar,1006, Tunisia
Mourad Zaraa
Orthopedic surgery department,Trauma and burns center,  2013, Ben Arous,  Faculty of medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar,1006, Tunisia

Abstract

Introduction: Acetabular fractures represent a major challenge in traumatology due to their significant functional impact. The patient profile,
clinical and radiological characteristics, and treatment of this entity are likely to evolve over time. In Tunisia, data on these fractures are limited.
Aim: To describe the epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic aspects of acetabular fractures in a trauma center.
Methods: A descriptive retrospective study, spanning 10 years (January 2014-December 2023), included patients treated for acetabular fractures
in a trauma center. Demographic, clinical, radiological and therapeutic data were collected.
Results: The study included 297 patients. The mean age was 47.8 years. The sex-ratio was 3.8. Road traffic accidents were the predominant
mechanism of injury (62%). The most common fractures were posterior wall fractures (21.9%), anterior wall fractures (19.2%) and both-column
fractures (9.8%). Hip dislocation was present in 27.3% of cases. Surgical treatment was indicated in 35.4% of cases. An increase in the incidence
of acetabular fractures was noted between 2014 and 2023 (23 to 40). Both surgical management and anterior approaches showed a significant
increase over the years (p < 0.001).
Conclusion: The increase in the incidence of acetabular fractures, the predominance of traffic accidents and the growing use of surgical treatment suggest the importance of developing recommendations on road safety, strengthening the capacity of trauma centers and optimising surgical resources.

Keywords:

acetabulum, fracture, epidemiology, conservative treatment, surgery

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