Pelvic Ring Injuries Research Articles

High-energy blunt pelvic ring injury incidence and polytrauma caseload in a single level I trauma center during COVID-19 related pseudo-lockdown measures: a retrospective cohort study based on a prospective registry

BackgroundPelvic ring injuries are potentially lethal lesions associated with polytrauma patients and need an efficient trauma team for their management. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence of high-energy blunt pelvic ring injuries and the absolute number of polytrauma patients in a single level I trauma center during the 2020 pseudo-lockdown period related to the Coronavirus pandemic, and to compare it with corresponding periods in 2014–2019 in order to better understand the need of organized and dedicated personnel and infrastructures.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study was based on data prospectively recorded into the institutional Severely Injured Patients’ Registry. Data were obtained for each year period (January 1st to December 31st) and corresponding pseudo-lockdown period (March 16th to June 19th). High-energy blunt pelvic ring injuries inclusion criteria were: (1) Registry entry between January 1st, 2014 and December 31st, 2020; (2) age ≥ 16 years old; and (3) pelvic ring injury presence. Corresponding exclusion criteria were: (1) death before admission; (2) transfer from another institution > 24 h after trauma; (3) penetrating, blast, burn and electrical injuries, drownings; (4) patients living outside the defined institution’s catchment area; and (5) any document attesting the patient’s will to not participate in any study. Polytrauma patients inclusion criteria were: (1) Registry entry between January 1st, 2014 and December 31st, 2020; (2) age ≥ 16 years old; and (3) Injury Severity Score ≥ 16. Corresponding exclusion criteria were: (1) death before admission; (2) transfer from another institution > 24 h after trauma; and (3) any document attesting the patient’s will to not participate in any study. Categorical variables were reported using proportions and continuous variables using medians and interquartile ranges. Because data were exhaustive for the authors’ level I trauma center, no inferential statistics were computed.ResultsThe incidence of high-energy blunt pelvic ring injuries and the absolute number of polytrauma patients remained within range of previous years despite pseudo-lockdown measures.ConclusionsThese observations bring better knowledge about pseudo-lockdown’s impact on trauma and may help for future health strategy planning by pointing out the importance of maintaining the activity of level I trauma centers in terms of personnel and infrastructures.

CONSERVATIVE MANAGEMENT PELVIC FRACTURE URETHRAL INJURY (PFUI) IN A GIRL: A CASE REPORT

ABSTRACT
 Objective: This case report aims to describe a different approach of PFUI by conservative management that resulted in good outcome. Case(s) Presentation: A 7-year-old girl patient was brought to the emergency department after falling from public transportation diagnosed with suspicious urethral rupture, perineal rupture grade III, vertical-shear type pelvic-ring injury, laceration wound on the right lower leg, abrasion on the medial side left lower leg and urinary retention. The patient underwent percutaneous cystostomy, pelvic bandage, a perineal debridement and repair, a cystography, percutaneous vesicolithotripsy, cystostomy and synechiae incision. One year after the first admission it was planned for urethroplasty due to completely obliterated from antegrade and retrograde panendoscopy. Discussion: 8 months later urethroplasty was aborted because of an open bladder neck, a fistula at the anterior connected to the distal of the bladder neck with size of 3 mm. The patient was performed a silicon cystostomy catheter insertion for 6 weeks. At the time of evaluation, the fistula was closed, it was proven by Qmax uroflowmetry was 18ml/s with average flow: 9.8 ml/s, voiding volume: 90ml, flow time: 9s, voiding time: 9s, hesistance:1.5, and PVR:5.35 cc. Conclusion: In this case, it showed that conservative management could improve PFUI with satisfactory result, proved by good result of uroflowmetry. However, periodic evaluations must be carried out to follow the progress of the disease and the possibility of future complications including sexual function.
 Keywords: PFUI, girl, urethral rupture

Angioembolisation for arterial haemorrhage related to pelvic ring injury.

Haemorrhage related to pelvic fractures has been associated with mortality rates of up to 50%. Angioembolisation for the management of pelvic haemorrhage was performed as early as 1972; however, there remains uncertainty over its exact use, timing and priority as a component of modern pelvic management protocols. We retrospectively analysed cases of angioembolisation for arterial haemorrhage related to pelvic ring fractures at a level 1 trauma centre. Patient demographics were assessed as well as the time taken to reach the interventional radiology (IR) suite from the time of trauma and also arriving at the emergency room (ER). Other factors analysed included the volume of blood products consumed and fracture pattern. Fifty-four patients received pelvic angiography for pelvic ring injuries between 2006 and 2021. The average age was 45.1 (20.5) years, with the male to female ratio 2.4:1. Forty (74.1%) of these patients had embolisation to actively bleeding pelvic arterial vessels. Median time to the IR was 4.4 [IQR 3.1-8.1] hours from time of trauma and 2.5 [IQR 2.1-4.2] hours from arrival to ER. The overall mortality rate was 18.5% and the median amount of blood transfused was 4584 mL [IQR 1643.5-8026.5]. In the subset of embolised patients (n = 40), mortality rate was 10% and there was an inverse association between time from ER to IR and volume of blood product consumption (P = 0.024). Angioembolisation is a life-saving intervention in very severely injured patients and is growing in popularity as a component of modern pelvic trauma management protocols.

Substitutional semi-rigid osteosynthesis technique for treatment of unstable pubic symphysis injuries: a biomechanical study

Background/PurposeThe surgical fixation of a symphyseal diastasis in partially or fully unstable pelvic ring injuries is an important element when stabilizing the anterior pelvic ring. Currently, open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) by means of plating represents the gold standard treatment. Advances in percutaneous fixation techniques have shown improvements in blood loss, surgery time, and scar length. Therefore, this approach should also be adopted for treatment of symphyseal injuries. The technique could be important since failure rates, following ORIF at the symphysis, remain unacceptably high. The aim of this biomechanical study was to assess a semi-rigid fixation technique for treatment of such anterior pelvic ring injuries versus current gold standards of plate osteosynthesis.MethodsAn anterior pelvic ring injury type III APC according to the Young and Burgess classification was simulated in eighteen composite pelvises, assigned to three groups (n = 6) for fixation with either a single plate, two orthogonally positioned plates, or the semi-rigid technique using an endobutton suture implant. Biomechanical testing was performed in a simulated upright standing position under progressively increasing cyclic loading at 2 Hz until failure or over 150,000 cycles. Relative movements between the bone segments were captured by motion tracking.ResultsInitial quasi-static and dynamic stiffness, as well as dynamic stiffness after 100,000 cycles, was not significantly different among the fixation techniques (p ≥ 0.054).). The outcome measures for total displacement after 20,000, 40,000, 60,000, 80,000, and 100,000 cycles were associated with significantly higher values for the suture technique versus double plating (p = 0.025), without further significant differences among the techniques (p ≥ 0.349). Number of cycles to failure and load at failure were highest for double plating (150,000 ± 0/100.0 ± 0.0 N), followed by single plating (132,282 ± 20,465/91.1 ± 10.2 N), and the suture technique (116,088 ± 12,169/83.0 ± 6.1 N), with significantly lower values in the latter compared to the former (p = 0.002) and no further significant differences among the techniques (p ≥ 0.329).ConclusionFrom a biomechanical perspective, the semi-rigid technique for fixation of unstable pubic symphysis injuries demonstrated promising results with moderate to inferior behaviour compared to standard plating techniques regarding stiffness, cycles to failure and load at failure. This knowledge could lay the foundation for realization of further studies with larger sample sizes, focusing on the stabilization of the anterior pelvic ring.

A nerve-to-implant distance as a novel predictor for lateral femoral cutaneous nerve injuries after anterior subcutaneous pelvic internal fixation.

Although anterior subcutaneous pelvic internal fixation is a valuable tool for the reduction and fixation of unstable pelvic ring injuries, lateral femoral cutaneous nerve irritation by the implant is the most common complication. This study aimed to investigate the association between the nerve-to-implant distance and the postoperative lateral femoral cutaneous nerve symptom. Patients who underwent anterior subcutaneous pelvic internal fixation between 2016 and 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Lateral femoral cutaneous nerve status was defined as follows: not identified, nerve-to-implant distance <13 mm, and ≥13 mm. The proportion of patients who experienced postoperative nerve disorders was compared using the nerve status. Nerve-to-implant distances were compared using the presence or absence of postoperative lateral femoral cutaneous nerve disorders. The predictive value of a nerve-to-implant distance of 13 mm for postoperative nerve disorders was assessed. Overall, 26 lateral femoral cutaneous nerves were included. Ten patients had postoperative nerve disorders, of which seven had an nerve-to-implant distance <13 mm, while the other three occurred in patients whose nerves were not identified. A nerve-to-implant distance ≥13 mm was significantly associated with a decreased risk of postoperative nerve disorder compared to a nerve-to-implant distance <13 mm (p = 0.017). A nerve-to-implant distance ≥13 mm had a perfect sensitivity (100%) and modest specificity (58.3%). Nerve-to-implant distance was ≥13 mm. Nerve disorders were frequently observed when the nerve-to-implant distance was <13 mm or the nerve was not identified intraoperatively. Efforts to identify the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve may be useful to avoid internal fixation-related nerve disorders.

Acetabular fractures from Judet and Letournel to the present: Research trends and global outcomes with bibliometric analysis during 1980 to 2022.

Fractures of the acetabulum are one of the most challenging injuries treated by orthopedic surgeons. However, a bibliometric analysis has not been performed in the literature on acetabular fractures, which seriously affect the quality of life of patients. The aim of this study was to summarize the bibliometric and intellectual structure, and determine and map the most recent trends on the topic of acetabular fractures by analyzing the social and structural relationships between the different research components of articles published on the acetabular fractures. 1599 articles on acetabular fractures published between 1980 and 2022 were extracted from the Web of Science (WoS) database and analyzed. Bibliometric visualization maps were used to reveal trending topics, citation analyses, and international collaborations. Spearman correlation analysis was performed for correlation investigations. The trend in the expected number of articles to be published over the next few years was displayed using the exponential smoothing estimator. The top 3 contributing countries to the literature were United States of America (USA) (551, 34.4%), China (170, 10.6%), and Germany (160, 10%). The most active author was Berton R. Moed (n = 29) and the most active institution was the University of California System (n = 41). A high-level statistically significant correlation was found between the number of articles on the topic of acetabular fractures published by nations and the gross domestic product (GDP) and GDP per capita values of those countries (R = 0.719, P < .001; R = 0.701, P < .001, respectively). The trending topics researched in recent years were 3D printing, 3-dimensional printing, outcomes, Open Reduction and Internal Fixation (ORIF), mortality, Kocher-Langenbeck, Pararectus approach, tranexamic acid, transfusion, epidemiology, fracture mapping, modified Stoppa approach, post-traumatic osteoarthritis, pelvis fracture, pelvic trauma, fracture reduction, and pelvic ring injury. The leading countries in research on the subject of acetabular fractures were seen to be western countries with large economies (especially the USA, European countries, and Canada) and China, India and Turkey.

Imaging of Pelvic and Acetabular Trauma: Part 1, Osseous Findings.

Pelvic ring injuries and acetabular fractures are complex injuries and are often challenging to treat for a number of reasons. Orthopaedic trauma surgeons critically evaluate pelvic radiographs and CT images to generate an appropriate detailed injury and patient-specific preoperative plan. There are numerous crucial osseous details that surgeons should be aware of. Often, some of the most important factors that affect patients in treatment timing decisions, assessing reduction strategies, and deciding and inserting fixation constructs may be subtle on preoperative imaging. The radiographic and CT imaging findings covered subsequently should be sought out and appreciated preoperatively. Combining all the available osseous information helps the surgeon predict potential pitfalls and adjust surgical plans before incision. Ensuring a methodical and meticulous imaging review allows for the development of a detailed preoperative plan and helps avoid intraoperative missteps. This process will inherently streamline the surgical procedure and optimize the patient's surgical care. Maximizing the accuracy of the preoperative planning process can streamline the treatment algorithm and ultimately contribute to the best possible clinical outcome.

Timing of venous thromboemboli in patients with acetabular and pelvic ring fractures.

To determine the timing of symptomatic venous thromboemboli (VTE) in patients sustaining a pelvic and/or acetabular fracture. Secondly, to evaluate for any factors that may influence this timing. A retrospective cohort of 47 patients with acetabular and/or pelvic ring injuries who developed VTEs at a single academic level I trauma center were identified from 2012 to 2018. The chronology of VTE diagnosis in relation to date of injury, initial surgery, final surgery, and date of discharge was evaluated. Patients who developed VTEs were then evaluated based on known risk factors for VTE to determine if any of these affected timing. Symptomatic VTEs were diagnosed in 3.8% of patients with pelvic and/or acetabular fractures. In patients who developed a thromboembolism, diagnosis occurred on average 21.5 (± 19.2), 20.7 (± 19.9), 9.8 (± 23.4), and 4.3 (± 27.6) days after injury, index procedure, final procedure, and date of discharge. 25% of patients developed VTE more than 4weeks after their initial injury. No known risk factors effected the timing of VTE. The 2015 OTA expert panel recommends 4weeks of anticoagulation for orthopedic trauma patients at high risk of VTE, which may be too short a duration. In our cohort, 25% of VTEs occurred greater than 4weeks after injury. Additional research is needed to clarify the exact duration of anticoagulation after pelvic and acetabular fractures; however, surgeons may want to consider anticoagulating patients for greater than 4weeks. Level III-retrospective cohort.

Internal fixator vs external fixator in the management of unstable pelvic ring injuries: A prospective comparative cohort study.

Reconstruction of the pelvic ring anatomy in unstable anterior pelvic ring injuries is a significant step to reduce the mortality rate associated with these injuries efficiently. There is a debate on using either an anterior subcutaneous pelvis internal fixator (INFIX) or an anterior supra-acetabular external fixator (EXFIX) to manage an unstable anterior pelvic ring fracture. To compare the functional and radiological outcomes and complications of INFIX vs EXFIX in managing unstable pelvic ring injuries. A prospective cohort study included 54 patients with unstable pelvic ring fractures. The patients were divided into two groups; the INFIX group, in which 30 cases were fixed by INFIX, and the EXFIX group, in which 24 patients were treated by EXFIX. The average age in the EXFIX group was 31.17 years (16-57 years), while in the INFIX group, it was 34.5 years (17-53 years). The study included 20 (66.7%) males and 10 (33.3%) females in the INFIX group and 10 (41.7%) males and 14 (58.3%) females in the EXFIX group. The radiological outcomes were evaluated using Matta and Tornetta's score, and the functional outcomes using the Majeed score. The results revealed a statistically significant difference between both groups (P = 0.013) regarding radiological outcomes, according to Matta and Tornetta's score in favor of the INFIX group. Sitting, standing, and walking abilities were measured at a 3-mo follow-up visit using Majeed score modules. It was significantly better among the INFIX group than the EXFIX group in all three modules. At the final follow-up, both groups had no statistically significant difference according to the Majeed score; 92.35 in the INFIX group and 90.99 in the EXFIX group (P = 0.513). A lower surgical site infection rate was noticed in the INFIX group (P = 0.007). Anterior subcutaneous pelvis INFIX is associated with better radiological outcomes and a lower infection rate than anterior supra-acetabular EXFIX in managing patients with unstable anterior pelvic ring fractures.

Systematic Review of Combined Pelvic Ring and Acetabular Injuries: What Do We Know From the Literature?

The purpose of this review is to examine the literature on combined pelvic ring and acetabular fractures. We hope to further define the classifications, severities (ISS & Mortality), healing, radiographic parameters, and functional outcomes of such injuries to report all potential recommendations based on findings. We used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, and a systematic search on PubMed and Google Scholar was performed. Articles included were in the English Language or through English translation, between the years 1996 and 2022. Articles that had met the inclusion criteria were systematically assessed for the relevance of their content. Eleven articles were identified with a total of 985 patients.All eleven were retrospective case series and the presence of both an injury within the pelvic ring and another injury within the acetabulum, either ipsilateral or contralateral, was the indication of a combination injury. The overall mortality rate averaged over all studies was 7.9% and the Injury Severity Score (ISS) of 22.98. When considering the higher mortality rate seen in pelvic ring injuries compared to the isolated acetabulum, there appears to be survivability beyond reductive means as a reason for reducing and fixing the pelvic ring first. However, accurate reduction of the acetabulum has a greater weight in overall patient recovery compared to the reduction of the pelvic ring and thus surgical emphasis on the anatomic reduction of the acetabulum may be paramount. Despite this good to excellent outcomes can be achieved with careful preoperative planning and surgical execution in patients with fractures of the pelvic ring and acetabulum. Further research as well as uniform radiographic scoring system and outcomes scores should be required to better evaluate and treat these injuries.

Imaging of Pelvic and Acetabular Trauma: Part 2, Soft-Tissue Findings.

Pelvic ring injuries and acetabular fractures can be complex and challenging to treat. Orthopaedic trauma surgeons scrutinize pelvic radiographs and accompanying CT images for the osseous details that help create a thorough patient-specific preoperative plan. While the osseous details are incredibly important, the surrounding soft-tissue structures are equally as critical and can have a tremendous effect on both the patient and the surgeon. These findings may change surgery timing, dictate the need for additional surgeons or multidisciplinary teams, and determine the treatment sequence. The structures and potential clinical findings reviewed and demonstrated through example images should be sought out during physical examination and correlative preoperative imaging review. Combining all the available osseous and nonosseous information with a detailed approach helps the surgeon predict potential pitfalls and adjust surgical plans before incision. Maximizing the accuracy of the preoperative planning process can streamline treatment algorithm development and ultimately contribute to the best possible clinical patient outcome.

Does sequential examination under anaesthesia provide a reliable method to determine a management plan for unstable lateral compression pelvic ring injuries? a prospective study.

To assess the reliability of sequential examination under anaesthesia (EUA) to determine pelvic instability and to evaluate radiological and functional outcomes in unstable lateral compression (LC) injuries. A prospective case series study was conducted from 2020 to 2022 at a university hospital on 43 cases with LC injuries that met the inclusion criteria. Sequential EUA was carried out in three steps. Posterior-only fixation or anterior-posterior fixation was done according to the algorithm. Each patient was followed up for at least 12months, both radiologically and functionally. Forty cases proved unstable and were fixed. None showed secondary displacement in the anterior-posterior fixation group. However, five cases (19.2%) of the posterior-only fixation group showed secondary displacement with a mean of 5.9mm. Four cases of them had tetra-ramic injuries. There is a high tendency for secondary displacement at 14.5mm or more preoperative displacement of the rami. Patients with secondary displacement showed comparable functional outcome scores to patients without secondary displacement. Posterior-only fixation showed shorter operative time, lesser radiological exposure, blood loss and iatrogenic nerve injury than anterior-posterior fixation. EUA is a reliable method to determine pelvic instability and management plan for LC fractures with unilateral anterior ring injury. Anterior-posterior fixation is needed if there is a tetra-ramic fracture or initial anterior ring displacement of 14.5mm or more, irrespective of EUA.

Geriatric patients presenting with isolated pubic rami fractures and inability to mobilize may have occult lateral compression pelvic ring injuries with dynamic instability.

To determine the incidence of patients with isolated pubic rami fractures (PRFs) on computed tomography (CT) scans that have dynamic instability secondary to occult lateral compression (LC) pelvic ring injuries. Retrospective comparison study. Urban level one trauma centerPatients/Participants: Geriatric patients with isolated PRFs and inability to mobilize secondary to pain. Lateral stress radiographs (LSR) of pelvis to evaluate for ≥1 cm dynamic instability. Physical therapy (PT) clearance, hospital length of stay (LOS), discharge location. 19 patients were identified over 12 months. Patients were predominantly geriatric (median age: 75 years, interquartile range: 67 to 90), female (11/19), with unilateral (17/19) comminuted distal rami fractures (12/19) sustained in ground level falls (12/19). Dynamic instability was identified in 42% (8/19). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), obtained in 6 of these patients, demonstrated occult posterior ring fractures in all cases. Patients with dynamic instability were more likely to have comminuted distal rami fractures (Nakatani type 1b) and a longer hospital LOS. There was also trend for these patients to be unable to clear PT by discharge (63% (5/8) vs. 36% (4/11). The 90-day mortality rate of the cohort was 16% (3/19). Patients presenting with seemingly isolated PRFs on radiographs and CT scans that are unable to mobilize may have occult LC injuries with dynamic instability.

Incidence of and Risk Factors for Screw Loosening after Iliosacral Screw Fixation for Posterior Pelvic Ring Injury.

Screw loosening is a common complication of iliosacral screw fixation, with subsequent loss of stability and fracture re-displacement. This study aimed to investigate the incidence of and risk factors for screw loosening after iliosacral screw fixation for posterior pelvic ring injury. A total of 135 patients with posterior pelvic ring injuries who were treated with iliosacral screw fixation in our department between July 2015 and April 2021 were selected for this retrospective analysis. The possible risk factors for screw loosening were investigated using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses of patient demographics and trauma-related and iatrogenic variables, including age, sex, body mass index, Osteoporosis Self-Assessment Tool for Asians (OSTA) index, mechanism of injury, Young-Burgess classification, site of injury, type of injury, type of screw, mode of fixation, numbers of guidewire adjustments, accuracy of screw position, and quality of fracture reduction. The incidence of screw loosening was 15.6% (n = 21). The mean duration for screw loosening was 3.2 ± 1.5 months after operation. Univariate analysis results showed that the Young-Burgess classification, type of injury, site of injury, type of screw, mode of fixation, and OSTA index might be related to screw loosening (p < 0.05). According to the multivariate logistic regression, vertical shear injuries (Odds ratios [OR] 9.80, 95% Confidence intervals [CI] [1.96-73.28], p = 0.008), type of injury (OR 0.25, 95% CI [0.13-0.79], p = 0.027), common screws (OR 6.94, 95% CI [1.53-31.40], p = 0.012), screws insertion only at the level of the first sacral segment (S1) (OR 8.79, 95% CI [1.18-65.46], p = 0.034), injury site located in the medial sacral foramina (OR 6.28, 95% CI [1.16-34.06], p = 0.033), and lower OSTA index [OR 0.41, 95% CI [0.24-0.71], p = 0.001] were significantly related to screw loosening. Vertical shear injuries, sacral fractures, injury site located in the medial sacral foramina, and lower OSTA index are significantly associated with the postoperative occurrence of screw loosening. Transiliac-transsacral screw fixation and screws insertion both at the level of the S1 and second sacral segment can prevent screw loosening.

Methods of surgical treatment of pelvic bone fractures in dogs and postoperative rehabilitation

Pelvic ring injury is one of the most severe forms of musculoskeletal injury in small domestic animals. They usually do not survive due to the development of traumatic shock and complications from the pelvic organs, which develop in the post-traumatic period. In this article on the topic: "Methods of surgical treatment of pelvic bone fractures in dogs and postoperative rehabilitation" performed by a number of authors from the Kazakh National Agrarian Research University, examples of surgical intervention for various pelvic fractures in dogs are given, using various methods of fixing them.Such as: internal methods of fixing fractures of the pelvic ring, using plates, screws, various types of wires designed for osteosynthesis of bones; external methods of fixing fractures of the pelvic ring, using the spokerod method. The studies were carried out on 18 dogs for a year and a half in the veterinary clinic "Center for Veterinary Medicine" and in the "Daria Pankova Rehabilitation Center" in Almaty. The studied animals were aged from 1 year to 3.5 years. Breedchar-acteristic sranged from small breeds such as Chihuahuasand Dachshundstolarge out breds and CaneCorso .As well as the use of early rehabilitation in the postoperative period to eliminate various complications, such as muscle atrophy, neurological deficits of varying degrees, loss of limb sensitivity, and so on.The recovery rate of bone and cartilage tissue in the application of food additives in the nutrition of operated animals was estimated, with the data obtained being recorded every 10 days. The analysis of the data obtained shows that the use of additional dietary supplements significantly accelerates the process of formation of a callus and rapid consolidation of bone fractures.

Bony Sacral Volume after Sacro-Iliac Screw Fixation of Pelvic Fractures Is Dependent on Reduction of the Anterior Pelvic Ring.

Pelvic ring injuries are uncommon but serious injuries. Percutaneous sacro-iliac screw fixation (SSF) is the standard treatment for posterior stabilization of pelvic fractures. Compression forces of the SSF might cause deformity of the sacrum and the pelvic ring. The aim of this radio-volumetric study is to evaluate the morphometry of the sacrum and pelvic ring in SSF for posterior pelvic fractures. (1) Methods: We conducted a radio-volumetric study measuring the bony sacral volume before and after SSF for a pelvic fracture based on a three-dimensional reconstruction of the pre- and postoperative computed tomography scan of 19 patients with a C-type pelvic fracture. In addition to the bony sacral volume, we assessed the pelvic deformity and the load bearing axis. We compared the results of patients without anterior stabilization (Group A) to patients who had additional ORIF of the anterior pelvic ring. (2) Results: Median age of the patients was 41.2 years (±17.8). All patients received percutaneous SSF with partially threaded 7.3 mm screws. The sacral volume decreased from 202.9 to 194.3 cm3 in group A (non-operative treatment anterior, n = 10) and an increase of sacral volume from 229.8 to 250.4 cm3 in group B (anterior ORIF; n = 9). Evaluation of the pelvic deformity also reflected this trend by a decrease of the ipsilateral load-bearing angle in group A (37.0° to 36.4°) and an increase of this angle in group B (36.3 to 39.9°). (3) Conclusions: Bony sacral volume and pelvic deformity after sacro-iliac screw fixation in pelvic fractures depend on treatment of the anterior pelvic ring. Reduction and fixation of the anterior fracture shows an increase of the bony sacral volume and the load bearing angle leading to a closer to normal reconstruction of the pelvic anatomy.

Standard practice in the treatment of unstable pelvic ring injuries: an international survey

PurposeUnstable pelvic ring injury can result in a life-threatening situation and lead to long-term disability. Established classification systems, recently emerged resuscitative and treatment options as well as techniques, have facilitated expansion in how these injuries can be studied and managed. This study aims to access practice variation in the management of unstable pelvic injuries around the globe.MethodsA standardized questionnaire including 15 questions was developed by experts from the SICOT trauma committee (Société Internationale de Chirurgie Orthopédique et de Traumatologie) and then distributed among members. The survey was conducted online for one month in 2022 with 358 trauma surgeons, encompassing responses from 80 countries (experience > 5 years = 79%). Topics in the questionnaire included surgical and interventional treatment strategies, classification, staging/reconstruction procedures, and preoperative imaging. Answer options for treatment strategies were ranked on a 4-point rating scale with following options: (1) always (A), (2) often (O), (3) seldom (S), and (4) never (N). Stratification was performed according to geographic regions (continents).ResultsThe Young and Burgess (52%) and Tile/AO (47%) classification systems were commonly used. Preoperative three-dimensional (3D) computed tomography (CT) scans were utilized by 93% of respondents. Rescue screws (RS), C-clamps (CC), angioembolization (AE), and pelvic packing (PP) were observed to be rarely implemented in practice (A + O: RS = 24%, CC = 25%, AE = 21%, PP = 25%). External fixation was the most common method temporized fixation (A + O = 71%). Percutaneous screw fixation was the most common definitive fixation technique (A + O = 57%). In contrast, 3D navigation techniques were rarely utilized (A + O = 15%). Most standards in treatment of unstable pelvic ring injuries are implemented equally across the globe. The greatest differences were observed in augmented techniques to bleeding control, such as angioembolization and REBOA, more commonly used in Europe (both), North America (both), and Oceania (only angioembolization).ConclusionThe Young-Burgess and Tile/AO classifications are used approximately equally across the world. Initial non-invasive stabilization with binders and temporary external fixation are commonly utilized, while specific haemorrhage control techniques such as pelvic packing and angioembolization are rarely and REBOA almost never considered. The substantial regional differences’ impact on outcomes needs to be further explored.

Delay of fixation increases 30-day complications and mortality in traumatic pelvic ring injuries.

While decreased time to fixation in femur fractures improves mortality, it remains unclear if the same relationship exists for pelvic fractures. The National Trauma Data Bank (NTDB) is a data repository for trauma hospitals in the United States (injury characteristics, perioperative data, procedures, 30-day complications), and we used this to investigate early, significant complications after pelvic-ring injuries. The NTDB (2015-2016) was queried to capture operative pelvic ring injuries in adult patients with injury severity score (ISS) ≥ 15. Complications included medical and surgical complications, as well as 30-day mortality. Multivariable logistic regression was used to investigate the association between days to procedure and complications after adjusting for demographic characteristics and comorbidities. 2325 patients met inclusion criteria. 532 (23.0%) sustained complications, and 72 (3.2%) died within the first 30days. The most common complications were deep vein thrombosis (DVT) (5.7%), acute kidney injury (AKI) (4.6%), and unplanned intensive care unit (ICU) admission (4.4%). In a multivariate analysis, days to procedure was independently significantly associated with complications, with an adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of 1.06 (1.03-1.09, P < 0.001), best interpreted as a 6% increase in the odds of complication or death for each additional day. Time to pelvic fixation is a significant and modifiable risk factor for major complications and death. This suggests we should prioritize time to pelvic fixation on trauma patients to minimize mortality and major complications.

Cerclage augmentation of S1-S2 transsacral screw fixation in osteoporotic posterior pelvis ring injuries: A biomechanical feasibility study.

Injuries of the posterior pelvic ring are predominantly associated with osteoporosis. Percutaneously placed screws transfixing the sacroiliac joint have become the gold standard for their treatment. However, screw cut-out, backing-out, and loosening are common complications. One promising option could be cerclage reinforcement of cannulated screw fixations. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the biomechanical feasibility of posterior pelvic ring injuries fixed with S1 and S2 transsacral screws augmented with cerclage.Twenty-fourcomposite osteoporotic pelvises with posterior sacroiliac joint dislocation were stratified into four groups for S1-S2 transsacral fixation using either (1) fully threaded screws, (2) fully threaded screws with cable cerclage, (3) fully threaded screws with wire cerclage, or (4) partially threaded screws with wire cerclage. All specimens were biomechanically tested under progressively increasing cyclic loading until failure. Intersegmental movements were monitored by motion tracking. The transsacral partially threaded screw fixation with wire cerclage augmentation resulted in significantly less combined angular intersegmental movement in the transverse and coronal plane versus its fully threaded counterpart (p = 0.032), as well as in significantly less flexion versus all other fixations (p ≤ 0.029). Additional cerclage augmentation could be performed intraoperatively to improve the stability of posterior pelvic ring injuries treated with S1-S2 transsacral screw fixation. Further investigations should follow to consolidate the current results on real bones and possibly consider execution of a clinical study.

The EMS stress view: occult pelvic instability revealed by pre-hospital pelvic binder placement.

To describe and evaluate the serendipitous pelvic binder stress radiographs of lateral compression type (LC) pelvic ring injuries. This was a retrospective case series performed at a single, level I academic trauma center from 2016 to 2018. All patients presenting with a minimally displaced LC pelvic ring injury were reviewed (< 10cm displacement on static pelvic radiographs). Patients with X-rays (XR) in a pelvic binder (EMS stress) and with the pelvic binder removed were included. Pelvic ring stability was determined by attending surgeon evaluation of EMS stress radiographs versus static XR of the pelvis. Patients were treated non-operatively and allowed to weight bear or taken to the operating room for exam under anesthesia (EUA) and potential operative fixation. Clinical success of treatment was determined by evaluation of further displacement at the completion of their most recent follow-up. Thirty-seven patients of the initial 398 reviewed met inclusion criteria. Fourteen of 37 patients (38%) were categorized as stable with no significant pelvis displacement seen on EMS stress and were treated non-operatively without further sequelae (4.6 months mean follow-up). The remaining 23/37 (62%) were treated operatively. Occult instability was identified on EMS stress in 14 (61%) of those 23 patients and the remainder were determined to be unstable based upon fracture pattern or EUA. All patients went on to successful treatment without significant pelvic deformity (7.8 months mean follow-up). The EMS stress XR is a valuable, opportunistic evaluation in LC pelvic ring injuries. This evaluation is a useful diagnostic adjunct to alert the provider that additional stress imaging may be indicated to evaluate for occult pelvic ring instability.