The radiographic outcome after plating for pubic symphysis diastasis: does it matter clinically?

Do we need another screw? Sacroiliac screw fixation in open-book pelvic ring injuries (APC type II)

Purpose

To compare anterior plate fixation (SP fixation) both alone and in combination with an additional posterior sacroiliac screw (SP+SIS fixation) as a treatment for pelvic ring injuries with widening of the pubic symphysis and disruption to the anterior sacroiliac ligaments.

Methods

To find studies with pelvic ring injuries (APC II; B2.3d) and SP or SP+SIS fixation, a systematic literature review was conducted by searching four databases. A protocol was published a priori at Open Science Framework (https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/3YHAV). Exclusion criteria included perineal injuries, chronic instability of the symphysis, complete sacroiliac separation, and pediatric patients (age <18 years). Primary outcomes of interest were defined as implant failure, health-related quality of life, and revision rate.

Results

Altogether, 1861 studies were screened, and 40 studies qualified for full-text analysis. In total, 14 studies (two surveys, six biomechanical studies, and six retrospective clinical studies) were included. The surveys revealed that surgeons who had more recently begun practicing were more likely to use posterior fixation (SP+ISS). The biomechanical studies were heterogenous and did not yield a uniform pattern. In clinical studies, 117 patients (45%) received SP fixation, and 142 patients (55%) received SP+SIS fixation. Complications occurred in 31 SP patients (30%) and in five SP+SIS patients (3.5%).

Conclusion

A high risk of bias was uncovered, and reporting was found to be incomplete. SP+SIS may have the potential to improve outcomes, but the evidence remains too inconclusive to draw reliable recommendations.

The clinical relevance of fixation failure after pubic symphysis plating for anterior pelvic ring injuries: an observational cohort study with long-term follow-up

BACKGROUND

Open reduction and plate fixation is a standard procedure for treating traumatic symphyseal disruptions, but has a high incidence of implant failure. Several studies have attempted to identify predictors for implant failure and discussed its impact on functional outcome presenting conflicting results. Therefore, this study aimed to identify predictors of implant failure and to investigate the impact of implant failure on pain and functional outcome.

METHODS

In a single-center, retrospective, observational non-controlled cohort study in a level-1 trauma center from January 1, 2006, to December 31, 2017, 42 patients with a plate fixation of a traumatic symphyseal disruption aged ≥ 18 years with a minimum follow-up of 12 months were included. The following parameters were examined in terms of effect on occurrence of implant failure: age, body mass index (BMI), injury severity score (ISS), polytrauma, time to definitive treatment, postoperative weight-bearing, the occurrence of a surgical site infection, fracture severity, type of posterior injury, anterior and posterior fixation. A total of 25/42 patients consented to attend the follow- up examination, where pain was assessed using the Numerical Rating Scale and functional outcome using the Majeed Pelvic Score.

RESULTS

Sixteen patients had an anterior implant failure (16/42; 37%). None of the parameters studied were predictive for implant failure. The median follow-up time was six years and 8/25 patients had implant failure. There was no difference in the Numerical Rating Scale, but the work-adjusted Majeed Pelvic Score showed a better outcome for patients with implant failure.

CONCLUSION

implant failure after symphyseal disruptions is not predictable, but appears to be clinically irrelevant. Therefore, an additional sacroiliac screw to prevent implant failure should be critically discussed and plate removal should be avoided in asymptomatic patients.

Symphyseal plating for pelvic fracture in a morbidly obese patient: operative challenges and innovation of a novel 'wire-ramp plate-sliding method'

We are describing a case report of a morbidly obese patient (body mass index 41) in his mid-40s with Young and Burgess Anteroposterior Compression type II injury (AO Foundation/Orthopaedic Trauma Association type B1.2) managed by symphyseal plating. Morbid obesity made working at a depth very difficult; hence, we adopted a novel 'wire-ramp plate-sliding method'. In this method, two strong sturdy K-wires inserted through the medial-most plate holes into the pubis acted as a ramp over which the plate was pushed/slid distally. During this manoeuvre, the K-wires passing through the plate holes were used as a reduction tool. The patient also had a wedge fracture of the distal femoral shaft which was managed by retrograde femoral nailing. At 1-year follow-up, the pelvic continuity is maintained and the fracture has united. The patient is able to do full weight-bearing and is back to his normal life.

Reconstruction with 3D-printed prostheses after type I + II + III internal hemipelvectomy: Finite element analysis and preliminary outcomes

Background: Prosthetic reconstruction after type I + II+ III internal hemipelvectomy remains challenging due to the lack of osseointegration and presence of giant shear force at the sacroiliac joint. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the biomechanical properties of the novel 3D-printed, custom-made prosthesis with pedicle screw-rod system and sacral tray using finite element analysis. Methods: Four models that included one intact pelvis were established for validation. Forces of 500 N and 2,000 N were applied, respectively, to simulate static bipedal standing and the most loaded condition during a gait cycle. Biomechanical analysis was performed, and the results were compared; the preliminary outcomes of four patients were recorded. Results: For the reconstructed hemipelvis, stress was mainly concentrated on the sacral screws, bone-prosthesis interface, and upper endplate of the L5 vertebra. The optimization of the design with the sacral tray structure could decrease the peak stress of the sacral screws by 18.6%, while the maximal stress of the prosthesis increased by 60.7%. The addition of the lumbosacral pedicle-rod system further alleviated stress of the sacral screws and prosthesis by 30.2% and 19.4%, respectively. The site of peak stress was contemporaneously transferred to the connecting rods within an elastic range. In the retrospective clinical study, four patients who had undergone prosthetic reconstruction were included. During a follow-up of 16.6 ± 7.5 months, the walking ability was found preserved in all patients who are still alive and no prosthesis-related complications had occurred except for one hip dislocation. The Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) score was found to be 19.5 ± 2.9. Conclusion: The novel reconstructive system yielded favorable biomechanical characteristics and demonstrated promising preliminary outcomes. The method can be used as a reference for reconstruction after type I + II + III hemipelvectomy.