Modification of spinal pedicle screw-plate fixation for bilateral pediatric pelvic ring injury in 2-year-old girl

Limited ilioinguinal approach for unstable pelvic fractures in children aged <3 years

Background

Pelvic fractures in pediatric trauma account for 0.5-1 % of total hospital admissions, whereas acetabular fracture occurs at a rate of one case per 100,000 children; the low presentation rate is due to its unique characteristics. Standardized management for this age group is impossible. Conservative treatment has been commonly used but surgical correction has gained popularity. The purpose of this study was to report the authors' experience using a limited ilioinguinal approach for unstable pelvic fracture in two toddlers.

Methods

Description of case studies.

Results

Herein, we describe the treatment of two patients: a male patient struck by a vehicle (aged 1 year and 7 months) and a female patient ejected from a motor vehicle (aged 2 years and 1 month). They sustained an unstable type IV fracture in the modified Torode and Zieg classification. Surgical treatment was performed using a limited ilioinguinal approach, and stabilization was achieved using 3.5-mm reconstruction plate. There were no iatrogenic nerve injuries or infection. The female patient had left hip dislocation 2 months post-surgery and was unfortunately lost to follow-up. The male patient achieved radiological bone union without discrepancy, with no loss of reduction or evidence of pain during the mean follow-up period of 18 months.

Conclusion

Pelvic fracture in children is rare. Based on fracture patterns, surgical stabilization may be necessary to prevent major complications in the short, medium, or long term. The limited ilioinguinal approach was proven to be a viable alternative for managing unstable pelvic fracture in children aged <3 years with minimal blood lo and shorter operative time, allowing more anatomical and stable reduction.

Paediatric pelvic fractures - an updated literature review

BACKGROUND

Pelvic fractures in children are indicative of significant trauma. Patients will often have associated injuries - some of which require urgent intervention to prevent death and disability. Paediatric and adult pelvises respond to traumatic forces differently and distinct approaches are required for each population. Historically, pelvic fractures have been treated conservatively, but this trend is changing with a better understanding of the pelvis' inability to remodel significant deformity, as well as new techniques for operative fixation.

METHODS

A comprehensive search of the literature was conducted for articles published between 2000 and 2020 on paediatric pelvic fractures using medical databases including PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library.

RESULTS

We included 143 studies in our literature review and summarized the incidence, pathophysiology, assessment, management and complications associated with paediatric pelvic fractures.

CONCLUSIONS

The rarity of paediatric pelvic fractures corresponds with a paucity of randomized clinical trials covering this topic. Trends such as the screening pelvic x-ray are derived from adult populations but are now questioned in children. Other aspects of assessment and management of these children warrant such levels of scrutiny.

Percutaneous sacroiliac screw fixation in a pediatric with unstable bilateral superior rami and sacral fracture-dislocation; a case report and review of the literature

Complex pelvic ring injuries in childhood can be difficult to treat, and literature mentions several techniques for fixing SIJ fracture-dislocations. In accordance with the CAse REport (CARE) guidelines, this study describes a five-year-old boy with a complex pelvic ring fracture caused by a car accident: vertically unstable pelvic fracture consists of bilateral superior rami fractures and type I of Denis sacral fracture. Fixation was achieved by inserting a 6.5 mm major diameter cannulated screw with a 60 mm length and 16 thread into the SIJ at the level of S1. The pelvic inlet view corrected the anterior-posterior position, and the pelvic outlet view adjusted the superior-inferior position to determine a suitable sacral level. After three months, the SI joint has shown an anatomically fracture consolidation, and he could ambulate with full weight-bearing and full ROM with no pain. A 3-year follow-up showed promising results in radiological and functional terms.

We conclude that percutaneous SI screw fixation using a cannulated screw is a suitable technique for pediatrics because it provides anatomic reductions and is minimally invasive. Children as young as five can be treated safely with SI screws for sacral fractures and SIJ injuries.

Paediatric pelvic injuries: a retrospective epidemiological study from four level 1 trauma centers

AIM OF THE STUDY

Epidemiologic evaluation of pelvic ring injuries in children.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis over a period of 13 years, excluding pathological fractures. AO/OTA type, epidemiological data, type of treatment, and complications were recorded. Data were assessed using Fisher's exact test and Wilcoxon test.

RESULTS

243 boys, 115 girls, mean age (SD) 14.1 ± 3.0 years, AO/OTA types: 281 A, 52 B, 25 C. Multiple trauma: 62, combined trauma: 59, mono-trauma: 237. 281 patients were treated non-operatively, 97 surgically.

ETIOLOGY

traffic accidents 88, falls from a great height 37, crushing injuries four, and sports injuries 192, simple falls 30, others seven. High-energy mechanisms prevailed in types B and C. Low-energy mechanism in type A (p < 0.0001). Similar differences were found between type A (p = 0.0009) and in case type C requiring surgery and cases treated non-operatively (p < 0.0001). Twenty-six patients (7.3%) had complications (pelvic asymmetry 5, neurological deficits 5, non-union 1, ectopic calcification 4, others 7). Higher complication rates were associated with types B and C (p = 0.0015), with surgically treated cases (p < 0.0001) and multiple trauma (p = 0.0305).

DISCUSSION

Results of this trial were comparable with other studies.

CONCLUSION

Sports injuries accounted for most type A injuries, while types B and C tended to be associated with high-energy trauma. Complications were associated with the severity of pelvic trauma, more common in surgically treated group of patients; this is primarily linked to the surgical cases being more serious as well as the associated injuries.