OBJECTIVETo discuss the treatment and mechanisim of acetabulum fracture combined with ipsilateral lower extremity fracture.

METHODSFourteen cases(9 males and 5 females) of acetabulum fracture were involved in the study with the mean age of 35 years (range, from 18 to 65 years). According to Letournel classification, 11 cases were the fracture of posterior wall and column, 3 cases were only the fracture of posterior column. All of them were treated with titanium plate internal fixation. Of three cases with ipsilateral femoral intertrochanteric fracture, one was treated with external fixiation device, other two were treated with DHS fixation; Three cases with ipsilateral femoral neck fracture were treated with compressive cannulated screw fixation; Among six cases with ipsilateral femoral shaft fracture,one was fixed with steel plate,the rest underwent intramedullary nailing fixation; Two cases with ipsilateral tibial plateau fracture were treated with anatomic plate internal fixation.

RESULTSAll patients except the died old patient were followed up from 18 months to 5 years, with mean of 30 months. According to standard of American institute of orthopaedics, 9 cases obtained excellent results, 3 good and 2 poor and the excellent and good rate was 92.3%.

CONCLUSIONMost cases of acetabulum fracture combined with ipsilateral lower extremity fracture are due to great violence, their mechanisms are complex, and easily lead to missed diagnosis, therefore the early correct diagnosis, and reasonable internal fixation should be considered.