Complications following minimally invasive internal fixation for anterior pelvic ring injury: a Meta-analysis

Abstract

Objective To summarize the complications and their incidences following Anterior Sub-cutaneous Internal Pelvic Fixation(ASIPF). Methods A comprehensive search was conducted of PubMed Library, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, SinoMed, Wanfang Data and China National Knowledge Internet for all articles addressing the postoperative complications of ASIPF published in English and Chinese from January 2009 to November 2018. A proportion Meta-analysis across the studies was performed for the complications after ASIPF (lateral femoral cutaneous nerve irritation, femoral nerve palsy, heterotopic ossification, infection and implant failure) using R software. Results This meta-analysis included 29 clinical studies involving a total of 825 patients. The complications following ASIPF were lateral femoral cutaneous nerve irritation, femoral nerve palsy, heterotopic ossification, infection and implant failure; their incidences were respectively 12% (95%CI: from 7% to 19%), 3% (95%CI: from 2% to 4%), 30% (95%CI: from 22% to 39%), 4% (95%CI: from 3% to 6%) and 4% (95%CI: from 3% to 6%). Conclusions Lateral femoral cutaneous nerve irritation and heterotopic ossification are common complications following minimally invasive internal fixation for anterior pelvic ring injury. High-quality clinical research is needed into the factors leading to the complications and into their preventive countermeasures. Key words: Pelvis; Fractures, bone; Fracture fixation, internal; Surgical procedures, minimally invasive; Complications