Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of operation via anterior approach in treating pelvic crescent fra cture. Methods Between June 2007 and December 2009, 18 patients with pelvic crescent fracture were treated, including 11 males and 7 females with an average age of 32 years (range, 19-52 years). The locations were the right in 8 cases and the leftin 10 cases. Fractures were caused by traffic accident in 10 cases, by fall ing from height in 5 cases, and by crushing with heavy weights in 3 cases. All patients suffered lateral compression injuries of the pelvis. The mean time from injury to operation was 7.8 days (range, 3-22 days). The preoperative mean displacement of the posterior pelvic ring was 13.7 mm (range, 5-24 mm) according to the method described by Matta et al. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, displacement correction of the posterior pelvic ring, fracture heal ing time, and Hannover pelvic score were recorded. Results The average operation time was 175 minutes (range, 110-230 minutes); the average intraoperative blood loss was 561.7 mL (range, 300-1 100 mL); the postoperative mean displacement of the posterior pelvic ring was 1.2 mm (range, 0-3 mm); and the mean displacement correction of the posterior pelvic ring was 12.6 mm (range, 4-23 mm). No intraoperative lumbosacral nervous injury occurred. Superficial wound infection occurred in 2 cases and was cured after 1 week of wound drainage and appl ication of antibiotic. The others achieved heal ing of incision by first intention. Fifteen patients were followed up 16.1 months on average (range, 13-22 months). The X-ray films showed fracture heal ing in all patients. The fracture heal ing time was 3.6 months on average (range, 3-4 months). No patient had loss of reduction or failure of internal fixation. The cl inical outcome was excellent in 10 cases (66.7%) and good in 5 cases (33.3%) according to Hannover pelvic score; social reintegration was complete in 13 cases (86.7%) and incomplete in 2 cases (13.3%). Conclusion Operation via anterior approach is a good choice in the treatment of pelvic crescent fracture.