Nonunion of pelvic fractures

Plate fixation of inferior ramus in pubis-ischium ramus improves mechanical stability in Tile B pelvic injures: a cadaveric biomechanical analysis and early clinical experience

BACKGROUND

Management of inferior ramus of the pubis-ischium ramus remains controversial, and related research is sparse. The main intention of this study is to describe the biomechanical and clinical outcomes of pubis-ischium ramus fractures in Tile B pelvic injuries and to identify the feasibility and necessity of fixation of the inferior ramus of the pubis-ischium ramus.

METHODS

This study comprised two parts: a biomechanical test and a retrospective clinical study. For the biomechanical tests, Tile B-type pelvic injuries were modeled in six cadaver specimens by performing pubis-ischium osteotomies and disruption of the anterior and interosseous sacroiliac ligaments. The superior and/or inferior rami of the pubis-ischium ramus were repaired with reconstruction plates and separated into three groups (A, B, and C). Specimens were placed in the standing position and were loaded axially with two-leg support for three cycles at 500 N. The displacements of sacroiliac joints at osteotomy were measured with Vernier calipers and compared using statistical software. To investigate the clinical outcomes of this technique, 26 patients were retrospectively analyzed and divided into a superior ramus fixation group (Group D) and a combined superior and inferior ramus of the pubis-ischium ramus fixation group (Group E). The main outcome measures were time of operation, blood loss, postoperative radiographic reduction grading, and functional outcomes.

RESULTS

In the vertical loading test, Group E showed better pelvic ring stability than Group D (P < 0.05). However, the shift of the sacroiliac joints was almost identical among the three groups. In our clinical case series, all fractures in Group E achieved bony union. Group E demonstrated earlier weight-bearing functional exercise (2.54 ± 1.45 vs 4.77 ± 2.09; P = 0.004), earlier bony union (13.23 ± 2.89 vs 16.55 ± 3.11; P = 0.013), and better functional outcomes (89.77 ± 7.27 vs 82.38 ± 8.81; P = 0.028) than Group D. The incidence of sexual dysfunction was significantly lower in Group E than that in Group D (2/13 vs 7/13; P = 0.039). Bone nonunion occurred in two patients in Group D, and two patients in Group E had heterotopic ossification. None of the patients exhibited wound complications, infections, implant failures, or bone-implant interface failures.

CONCLUSIONS

Fixation of the inferior ramus of a pubis-ischium ramus fracture based on conventional fixation of the anterior pelvic ring is mechanically superior in cadaveric Tile B pelvic injury and shows rapid recovery, good functional outcomes, and low incidence of complications.

Nonunions and malunions of the pelvis

INTRODUCTION

Neglected pelvic fractures manifesting as pelvic nonunion or malunion are usually due to inadequate initial fixation or negligence of the injury because of increased attention towards other associated life-threatening conditions. The management of such injuries is complex. A systematic review was conducted to spot the clinical manifestations, evaluation, management and outcome of pelvic nonunion and malunion.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Two databases ("Pubmed" and "Google scholar") were searched to look for relevant literature on pelvic non-union and malunion.  The search was limited to 'English language' and 'Human being'.

RESULTS

A total of 500 articles found, of which 10 articles were only reviewed which met the inclusion criteria. These articles discussed the clinical management and treatment of pelvic malunion and non-union following trauma without associated acetabular injury.

CONCLUSION

The usual presentations of pelvic non-union and malunion are pain, deformity, gait abnormality or instability. A detailed preoperative evaluation is essential as a majority of them have associated hip and spine injury which may be the cause of symptoms. Radiographs and 3D CT scans have helped surgeons in deciding the best way of management. The surgeries are usually complex and may need multiple-staged procedures. Soft tissue release, multiple osteotomies to achieve anatomical or near-anatomical reduction, augmentation of healing process using bone graft and stabilizing the nonunion/ osteotomy site using plates/screws/rods is the basic principle of surgery. Per-operative use of somato-sensory evoked potential evaluation helps the surgeon in preventing iatrogenic nerve injury. Despite these precautions and surgeries, most of the patients do not regain their preinjury functional activity.

Sacral Fracture Nonunion Treated by Bone Grafting through a Posterior Approach

Nonunion of a sacral fracture is a rare but serious clinical condition which can cause severe chronic pain, discomfort while sitting, and significant restriction of the level of activities. Fracture nonunions reportedly occur most often after nonoperative initial treatment or inappropriate operative treatment. We report a case of fracture nonunion of the sacrum and pubic rami that resulted from non-operative initial treatment, which was treated successfully using bone grafting through a posterior approach and CT-guided percutaneous iliosacral screw fixation combined with anterior external fixation. Although autologous bone grafting has been the gold standard for the treatment of pelvic fracture nonunions, little has been written describing the approach. We utilized a posterior approach for bone grafting, which could allow direct visualization of the nonunion site and preclude nerve root injury. By this procedure, we were able to obtain the healing of fracture nonunion, leading to pain relief and functional recovery.

Treatment and outcomes of pelvic malunions and nonunions: a systematic review

Although acute management of pelvic fractures and their long-term functional outcome have been widely documented, important information regarding malunion and nonunion of these fractures is sparse. Despite their relative rarity, malunions and nonunions cause disabling symptoms and have major socioeconomic implications. We analyzed the factors predisposing a pelvic injury to develop malunion/nonunion, the clinical presentation of these complications, and the efficacy of the reported operative protocols in 437 malunions/nonunions of 25 clinical studies. Treatment of these demanding complications appeared effective in the majority of the cases: overall union rates averaged 86.1%, pain relief as much as 93%, patient satisfaction 79%, and return to a preinjury level of activities 50%. Nevertheless, the patient should be informed about the incidence of perioperative complications, including neurologic injury (5.3%), symptomatic vein thrombosis (5.0%), pulmonary embolism (1.9%), and deep wound infection (1.6%). For a successful outcome, a thorough preoperative plan and methodical operative intervention are essential. In establishing effective evidence-based future clinical practice, the introduction of multicenter networks of pelvic trauma management appears a necessity.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, therapeutic study. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Two-stage surgical procedure for treating pelvic malunions

When surgically treated, pelvic-ring deformities due to post-traumatic malunions in adults usually require invasive three-stage (prone/supine/prone or supine/prone/supine) procedures. A standardised two-stage prone/supine procedure was developed by the authors. Technical points and first clinical results are presented. Malunuions related to Tile B and C types of fracture were successfully corrected.

Open reduction internal fixation of a pelvic malunion through an anterior approach

Whereas the initial treatment of pelvic fractures and their long-term outcomes have been well researched, little has been written concerning the surgical management of late pelvic malunions and nonunions causing residual pain and deformity. The available literature describes osteotomies usually done in multiple stages. The authors report the case of a progressive lateral compression pelvic disability treated in a unique one-stage procedure. This one-stage anterior approach allowed excellent correction of the deformity. In cases in which the deformity is purely one of internal or external rotation or medial or lateral displacement with no vertical migration, the authors think it is possible to adequately mobilize the pelvis to an anatomic reduction in a single-stage anterior approach. In cases in which vertical migration of the hemipelvis causes symptoms, it is probably necessary to approach the patient posteriorly to safely mobilize and adequately reduce the hemipelvis. With these factors in mind, the authors think a one-stage anterior approach can be an effective treatment for appropriately selected pelvic malunions.

Symptomatic hypertrophic pubic ramus nonunion treated with a retrograde medullary screw

Pubic ramus fracture nonunion is an unusual problem. Percutaneous retrograde superior pubic ramus medullary screw fixation was successfully used in two patients with prolonged symptomatic nonunions of the superior pubic ramus.