Objective To summarize the short-term effectivness of type IV Pipkin fracture through transtrochanteric approach with trochanteric osteotomy. Methods Between January 2007 and January 2010, 15 cases of type IV Pi pkin fracture were treated through transtrochanteric approach with trochanteric osteotomy. There were 9 males and 6 females with an average age of 42.5 years (range, 27-55 years). The causes of fractures included traffic accident (12 cases), fall ing from height (2 cases), and heavy pound injury (1 case). The time from injury to hospital ization was 4 hours to 7 days (mean, 2.3 days). All patients had l imitation of activity in the injured hips. The X-ray films and CT three-dimensional reconstruction indicated posterior dislocation of the hip joints and fractures of the femoral head and acetabulum, with no fracture of femoral neck. The locations of the femoral head fractures were under the round l igament in 9 cases and above the round l igament in 6 cases. Compl ications were treated firstly in all patients. The time from hospital ization to operation ranged from 2 to 10 days (mean, 4.5 days). Results All patients got primary wound heal ing with no early compl ication. All the patients were followed up 12-48 months with an average of 26 months. All osteotomies and acetabular fractures healed within 6 to 8 weeks. All patients achieved heal ing of femoral head fracture after 6-10 months. Mild heterotopic ossification occurred in 2 cases at 3 months after operation which were left untreated; and necrosis of the femoral head occurred in 1 case at 8 months after operation, was treated by total hip arthroplasty. At last follow-up, the flexion of the injuried hips ranged from 60 to 120° (mean, 92.5°). Based on Thompson et al. scoring scales, the results were excellent in 5 cases, good in 7 cases, fair in 2 cases, and poor in 1 case; the excellent and good rate was 80%. Conclusion Treatment of type IV Pipkin fracture through transtrochanteric approach with trochanteric osteotomy can provide good visual ization and protection of the blood supply of the femoral head.
