Percutaneous triangular stabilization of type 3 and type 4 fragility fractures of the pelvis usually leads to fracture healing despite high revision rates

Experimental study on the biomechanical stability of complex acetabular fractures in the quadrilateral area: application of a dynamic anterior titanium-plate screw system

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Complex acetabular fractures involving quadrilateral areas are more challenging to treat during surgery. To date, there has been no ideal internal fixation for these acetabular fractures. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the biomechanical stability of complex acetabular fractures using a dynamic anterior titanium-plate screw system of the quadrilateral area (DAPSQ) by simulating the standing and sitting positions of pelvic specimens.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eight formal in-preserved cadaveric pelvises aged 30-50 years were selected as the research objects. First, one hip of the normal pelvises was randomly used as the control model (group B) for measurement, and then one hip of the pelvises was randomly selected to make the fracture model in the 8 intact pelvises as the experimental model (group A) for measurement. In group A, acetabular both-column fractures in the quadrilateral area were established, and the fractures were fixed by DAPSQ. The biomechanical testing machine was used to load (simulated physiological load) from 400 N to 700 N at a 1 mm/min speed for 30 s in the vertical direction when the specimens were measured at random in simulated standing or sitting positions in groups. The horizontal displacement and longitudinal displacement of the acetabular fractures in the quadrilateral area were measured in both the standing and sitting simulations.

RESULTS

As the load increased, no dislocation or internal fixation breakage occurred during the measurements. In the standing position, the horizontal displacement of the quadrilateral area fractures in group A and group B appeared to be less than 1 mm with loads ranging from 400 N to 700 N, and there was no significant difference between group A and group B (p > 0.05). The longitudinal displacement appeared to be greater than 1 mm with a load of 700 mm in group A (700 N, 2 cases), and the difference was significant between group A and group B (p < 0.05). In the sitting position, the horizontal and longitudinal displacements of the quadrilateral areas were within 0.5 mm in group A and group B, and there was no significant difference between group A and group B (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

For complex acetabular fractures in the quadrilateral area, DAPSQ fixation may provide early sitting stability, but it is inappropriate for patients to stand too early.

Treatment of Unstable Sacral Fractures with Robotically-aided Minimally Invasive Triangular Fixation

OBJECTIVE

The treatment of unstable sacral fractures is huge challenge to surgeons. Robotically-aided minimally invasive triangular fixation (RoboTFX) is the most advanced technique up to now. This study is to evaluate the clinical outcomes of unstable sacral fractures treated with RoboTFX.

METHODS

From March 2017 to October 2021, 48 consecutive patients with unstable sacral fractures were included in the study. All patients received surgical treatment with triangular fixation (TFX). Patients were divided into four groups according to the number of fractures (uni- or bilateral) and surgical method employed (RoboTFX or traditional open TFX). Between these four groups, clinical data on operation time, intraoperative bleeding, intraoperative fluoroscopy time, infection rate, fracture healing rates, insertion accuracy, Majeed pelvic outcome score, Mears' criterion, and Gibbons score were compared. Quantitative data were expressed as mean ± standard deviation and compared using Student's t-test. Categorical variable were compared using the Pearson's χ2 test.

RESULTS

Comparing unilateral RoboTFX versus open TFX, neither fracture healing rate, infection rate, Majeed pelvic outcome score, Mears' radiological evaluation criterion, nor Gibbons score of the two groups were statistically significantly different (p > 0.05). However, operation time, intraoperative bleeding, intraoperative fluoroscopy time, and insertion accuracy in the RoboTFX group were all significantly better than those of the traditional open group (p < 0.05). Likewise, operation time, intraoperative bleeding, intraoperative fluoroscopy time, and accuracy of fixation insertion of the bilateral RoboTFX group were significantly better than those of the bilateral open group (p < 0.05). Meanwhile infection rate, fracture healing rate, Majeed score, Mears' criterion, and Gibbons score of two groups were not significantly different (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

RoboTFX has the advantages of less operation time, less intraoperative bleeding and fluoroscopy, more accurate fixation insertion, and a higher healing rate compared to traditional open methods in the treatment of unstable sacral fractures. However, RoboTFX requires a few critical considerations, and the indications of its operation should be strictly evaluated.

Clinical Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Fragility Fractures of the Pelvis

BACKGROUND

Fragility fractures of the pelvis (FFPs) are osteoporotic pelvic fractures or insufficiency pelvic fractures caused by the low energy injury or stress fracture in daily livings in the elderly more than 60 years, which the incidence is increasing with the aging population in our country. FFPs result in considerable morbidity and mortality and as well as massive financial burden on the already strained health systems throughout the world.

METHODS

This clinical guideline was initiated by the Trauma Orthopedic Branch of Chinese Orthopedic Association; the External Fixation and Limb Reconstruction Branch of Chinese Orthopedic Association; the National Clinical Research Center for Orthopedics, Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation; Senior Department of Orthopedics of Chinese PLA general hospital; the Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University. The grading of recommendations assessment, development and evaluation (GRADE) approach and the reporting items for practice guidelines in healthcare (RIGHT) checklist were adopted.

RESULTS

22 evidence based recommendations were formulated based on 22 most concerned clinical problems among orthopedic surgeons in China.

CONCLUSION

Understanding these trends through this guideline will facilitate better clinical care of FFP patients by medical providers and better allocation of resources by policy makers.

'Within Ring' Concept Treatment for Displaced H-Shaped Type IVb Fragility Fractures of the Pelvis

Introduction

Sacroiliac rod fixation (SIRF) preserves the mobility of L5/S1 (lumber in the pelvis), as a surgical procedure for high-energy pelvic ring fractures. The concept of SIRF method without pedicle screws into L4 and L5 is called ‘within ring' concept. Case Presentation. We report here the clinical results of ‘within ring' concept treatment with sacroiliac rod fixation for a case of displaced H-shaped Rommens and Hofmann classification type IVb fragility fractures of the pelvis (FFP), which A 79-year-old woman had been difficult to walk due to pain that had been prolonged for more than one month since her injury. The patient was successfully treated with SIRF, no pain waking with a walking stick and returned to most social activities including living independently within 6 months of the operation.

Conclusion

SIRF is useful because it can preserve the mobility in the lumbar pelvis; not including the lumbar spine in the fixation range like spino pelvic fixation is a simple, safe, and low-invasive internal fixation method for displaced H-shaped type IVb fragility fractures of the pelvis.