Osteotomy of the trochanter can enhance lateral and posterior exposures
of the acetabulum and the retro-acetabular space. Over a two-year period,
an osteotomy of the trochanter was done in ten patients in connection with
open reduction and internal fixation of a displaced acetabular fracture.
The trochanter was reattached by two 6.5-millimeter cancellous screws. All
of the osteotomies healed uneventfully, with no evidence of migration of
the trochanter. Since these fractures tend to occur in younger patients who
have healthy bone, non-union of the trochanter is unlikely to be a
problem.