The combination of intraoperative CT navigation and C-arm fluoroscopy for INFIX and percutaneous TITS screw placement in the treatment of pelvic ring injury: technical note

Background The subcutaneous screw rod system, commonly known as the internal pelvic fixator (INFIX), is useful in managing unstable pelvic ring fractures. Conventional INFIX and transiliac–transsacral (TITS) screw techniques are performed using C-arm fluoroscopy. There have been problems with medical exposure and screw insertion accuracy with these techniques. This work describes new INFIX and TITS techniques using intraoperative computed tomography (CT) navigation and C-arm fluoroscopy for pelvic ring fracture. Methods A typical case is presented in this study. An 86-year-old woman suffered from an unstable pelvic ring fracture due to a fall from a height. INFIX and TITS screw fixation with intraoperative CT navigation were selected to optimize surgical invasiveness and proper implant placement. Results The patient was placed in a supine position on a Jackson table. An intraoperative CT navigation was imaged, and screws were inserted under the navigation. Postoperative X-rays and CT confirmed that the screw was inserted correctly. This technique was less invasive to the patient and had little radiation exposure to the surgeon. Rehabilitation of walking practice was started early after the surgery, and she was able to walk with the assistance of a walker by the time of transfer. Conclusions The technique employed in our case study has the cumulative advantages of safety, accuracy, and reduced radiation exposure, together with the inherent advantages of functional outcomes of previously reported INFIX and TITS screw techniques. Further experience with this approach will refine this technique to overcome its limitations and facilitate its wider use.

The Impact of Specific Fracture Characteristics of Low-energy Fractures of the Pelvis in the Elderly on Mortality

Background:Pelvic fractures in the elderly are associated with relevant morbidity and mortality. Both might be determined by fracture morphology and/or patient characteristics. The aim of this project is to investigate the prognostic value of specific fracture characteristics with respect to overall survival and to compare it with an established classification system. Methods:Retrospective analysis of patients ≥60 years, treated conservatively for a CT-scan verified, low-energy pelvic ring fracture between August 2006 and December 2018. Survival data was available from patients’ charts and cantonal or national registries. The prognostic value of fracture characteristic describing the anterior and posterior involvement of the pelvic ring was investigated. This analysis was repeated after patients were stratified into a high-risk vs a low-risk group according to patient characteristic (age, gender, comorbidities, mobility, living situation). This allowed to assess the impact of the different fracture morphologies on mortality in fit vs. frail senior patients separately Results:Overall, 428 patients (83.4% female) with a mean age of 83.7 years were included. Two thirds of patients were still living in their home and mobile without walking aid at baseline. In-hospital mortality was 0.7%, overall, one-year mortality 16.9%. An independent and significant association of age, gender and comorbidities to overall survival was found. Further, the occurrence of a horizontal sacral fracture as well as a ventral comminution or dislocation was associated with an increased mortality. The effect of a horizontal sacral fracture was more accentuated in low-risk patients while the ventral fracture components showed a larger effect on survival in high-risk patients.Conclusion:Specific fracture characteristics may indicate a higher risk of mortality in conservatively treated patients with a low-energy pelvic ring fracture. Hence, they should be taken into account in future treatment algorithms and decisions on patient management.

Epidemiology and aetiology of male and female sexual dysfunctions related to pelvic ring injuries: a systematic review

Introduction Pelvic ring injuries, frequently caused by high energy trauma, are associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality (5–33%), often due to significant blood loss and disruption of the lumbosacral plexus, genitourinary system, and gastrointestinal system. The aim of the present study is to perform a systematic literature review on male and female sexual dysfunctions related to traumatic lesions of the pelvic ring. Methods Scopus, Cochrane Library MEDLINE via PubMed, and Embase were searched using the keywords: “Pelvic fracture,” “Pelvic Ring Fracture,” “Pelvic Ring Trauma,” “Pelvic Ring injury,” “Sexual dysfunction,” “Erectile dysfunction,” “dyspareunia,” and their MeSH terms in any possible combination. The following questions were formulated according to the PICO (population (P), intervention (I), comparison (C), and outcome (O)) scheme: Do patients suffering from pelvic fracture (P) report worse clinical outcomes (C), in terms of sexual function (O), when urological injury occurs (I)? Is the sexual function (O) influenced by the type of fracture (I)? Results After screening 268 articles by title and abstract, 77 were considered eligible for the full-text analysis. Finally 17 studies that met inclusion criteria were included in the review. Overall, 1364 patients (902 males and 462 females, M/F ratio: 1.9) suffering from pelvic fractures were collected. Discussion Pelvic fractures represent challenging entities, often concomitant with systemic injuries and subsequent morbidity. Anatomical consideration, etiology, correlation between sexual dysfunction and genitourinary lesions, or pelvic fracture type were investigated. Conclusion There are evidences in the literature that the gravity and frequency of SD are related with the pelvic ring fracture type. In fact, patients with APC, VS (according Young-Burgess), or C (according Tile) fracture pattern reported higher incidence and gravity of SD. Only a week association could be found between GUI and incidence and gravity of SD, and relationship between surgical treatment and SD. Electrophysiological tests should be routinely used in patient suffering from SD after pelvic ring injuries.

The Combination of Intraoperative CT Navigation and C-arm Fluoroscopy for INFIX and Percutaneous TITS Screw Placement in the Treatment of Pelvic Ring Injury: Technical Note

BACKGROUND: The subcutaneous screw rod system, commonly known as the internal pelvic fixator (INFIX), is useful in managing unstable pelvic ring fractures. Conventional INFIX and transiliac–transsacral (TITS) screw techniques are performed using C-arm fluoroscopy. There have been problems with medical exposure and screw insertion accuracy with these techniques. This work describes new INFIX and TITS techniques using intraoperative computed tomography (CT) navigation and C-arm fluoroscopy for pelvic ring fracture.METHODS: Here is a typical case. An 86-year-old woman suffered an unstable pelvic ring fracture due to a fall from a height. INFIX and TITS screw fixation with intraoperative CT navigation was selected to optimize surgical invasiveness and proper implant placement.RESULTS: The patient was placed in a supine position on a Jackson table. An intraoperative CT navigation was imaged, and screws were inserted under the navigation. Postoperative X-rays and CT confirmed that the screw was inserted correctly. This technique was less invasive to the patient and had little radiation exposure to the surgeon. Rehabilitation of walking practice was started early after the surgery, and she was able to walk with the assistance of a walker by the time of transfer. CONCLUSIONS: The technique employed in our case study has the cumulative advantages of safety, accuracy, and reduced radiation exposure, together with the inherent advantages of functional outcomes of previously reported INFIX and TITS screw techniques. Further experience with this approach will refine this technique to overcome its limitations and facilitate its wider use.

Relapses of urethral strictures associated with a pelvic ring fracture and osteosynthesis: the features of treatment and prevention

Introduction. Pelvic ring fracture with complex bone fragments displacement is associated with the urethral distraction injury in about 10% of cases. Emergency care for these patients includes the provision of trauma management and urinary diversion followed by delayed urethroplasty.Purpose of the study. To determine the effect of extramedullary osteosynthesis in a pelvic ring fracture on the outcome of treatment in patients with post-traumatic urethral strictures.Materials and methods. The study included 17 patients with post-traumatic urethral strictures associated with pelvic ring fractures (Types B, C). The average age of the patients was 35.8 ± 10.2 (19 - 61) yrs. All patients underwent submerged osteosynthesis and cystostomy drainage as an emergency. Localization of strictures: 10 (58.8%) - membranous, 7 (41.2%) - bulbo-membranous. Length of strictures: 1.47 ± 0.5 (0.5 - 2.5) cm. Post-traumatic period: 6.6 ± 1.3 (4 - 10) mo.Results. All patients underwent anastomotic urethroplasty. No early postoperative complications were identified. Spontaneous urination was restored by 14 - 15 days in all patients. Early urethral stricture relapses were revealed in 9 (52.9%) patients during 3-mo follow-up. These patients underwent removal of the metal structures fixing the pelvic bones. Repeated urethroplasty was performed a month later. Subsequent relapses of urethral stricture were not detected in any of 17 cases with a median follow-up of 28 (12 - 128) mo.Conclusion. Surgical treatment of urethral strictures associated with a pelvic ring fracture and osteosynthesis is advisable after removal of the metal structures fixing the pelvic bones. This is since the excessed retropubic screws protrusion (> 0.2 - 0.3 mm) is associated with a large area of periurethral fibrous inflammation and causes high relapse risks of stricture disease (52.9%) in the case of urethral surgery preceding the removal of metal structures.