Efficacy of median sacral artery embolization for treating severe pelvic fractures: a retrospective study

Objective Transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) of bilateral internal iliac arteries (IIAs) in patients with a hemodynamically unstable pelvic fracture is associated with a low mortality rate. The persistence of unstable hemodynamics after IIA embolization indicates the involvement of other arteries, such as the median sacral artery (MSA). This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of MSA embolization. Methods In this single-center, retrospective, observational study, medical records of patients who underwent MSA angiography or embolization for pelvic fractures (n = 21) between January 2007 and August 2019 were reviewed. The percentage of patients achieving hemodynamic stabilization by MSA embolization was calculated. Results Fifteen patients underwent MSA embolization, and the remaining six underwent MSA angiography. The shock index value was significantly higher after MSA embolization than that before MSA embolization in hemodynamically unstable patients who underwent this procedure. The success rate of MSA selection was 100%. One patient presented with urinary retention because of bladder and rectal disorders after MSA embolization. The 30-day survival rate was 85.7%. Conclusions Severe pelvic fractures, such as a Dennis Zone III fracture and suicidal jumper’s fracture due to trauma from a fall, may require MSA embolization.

Traumatic posterior dislocation of sacrococcygeal joint: A case report and review of the literature

Background: Sacrococcygeal joint dislocation is very rare. There are seven cases of sacrococcygeal joint dislocation found in the literature; most are anterior, and only one prior case of posterior dislocation was reported involving the mid-coccygeal joint. Here, we report another case of posterior dislocation of the sacrococcygeal joint. Case Description: A 19 year-old female developed acute low-back and groin pain following a fall from the first floor. She was diagnosed with an unstable pelvic fracture along with posterior dislocation of the sacrococcygeal joint. The next day, after being hemodynamically stabilized, she underwent percutaneous fixation of the sacral fracture, while the sacrococcygeal joint dislocation was managed conservatively. Her pain decreased, and she was discharged on the third postoperative day and followed up to 6 weeks. Conclusion: Most sacrococcygeal joint dislocations can be managed conservatively.

Surgical Technique of Percutaneous Iliosacral Screw Fixation in S3 Level in Unstable Pelvic Fracture with Closed Degloving Injury and Morrell Lavallee Lesion: Two Case Reports

Unstable pelvic ring fractures raise treatment challenges in severely injured patients. Beside patient survival, demanding surgical technique also required. Classic technique of internal fixation requires extensive surgical exposure that leads to most complications of the pelvic fractures fixation. Therefore less invasive technique is a reasonable alternative especially in unstable pelvic fracture with soft tissue injury or potential infection. Unfortunately in sacral dysmorphism pelvic injury or in complete vertical sacral fracture, we need S3 level insertion to improve stability of iliosacral (IS) screw in S1 or S2. Purpose of this study was to show feasibility technically inserting IS screw in S3 level. Methods: We reported 2 cases of unstable pelvic injury. First case was an 11 years old boy with Torode and Zieg IV or Marvin Tile C1 pelvic fracture with right sacroiliac joint disruption and soft tissue injuries of skin avulsion on the left hip and Morel-Lavallée lesion on the right hip. He was managed with early anatomic reduction and fixation with percutaneous screws on both pubic rami and IS screw (sacroiliac lag screw type) on S1 and S3. Second case was a 30 years old male with open pelvic fracture Faringer zone III type, Marvin Tile B2 or YoungBurgess LC I and also with vertical sacral fracture Denis zone 1. This polytrauma case had associated injuries includes Morel-Lavallée lesion, intraperitoneal bladder rupture, infected laparotomy wound dehiscence, and immunocompromised. The same minimal invasive management of pelvic fracture was performed in this case by inserting percutaneous screws on pubic rami and IS (sacral screw type) on S1 and S3. Functional outcome was evaluated using Majeed and Hannover pelvic scoring system. Results: All patients survived and considered to have good reduction, with no residual displacement on the sacroiliac joint. The former case, at 21-month follow up, present with excellent outcome (80 out of 80) by Majeed score and very good outcome (4 out of 4) by Hannover score; while the latter case, at 18-month follow up, present with poor outcome (50 out of 100) by Majeed score and fair outcome (2 out of 4) by Hannover score. Conclusion: Percutaneous screw fixation for pelvic ring injury is a less invasive alternative that can be used for early stabilization of unstable anterior and posterior pelvic fractures and provide stable internal fixation. IS screw is feasible to be inserted in S3 level either sacroiliac joint type or sacral screw type.

BIOMECHANICAL ANALYSIS OF DIFFERENT SURGICAL STRATEGIES FOR THE TREATMENT OF ROTATIONALLY UNSTABLE PELVIC FRACTURE USING FINITE ELEMENT METHOD

A rotationally unstable pelvic fracture can lead to loss of function and limit moving ability. Immediate fracture fixation is needed for patients with the pelvic fractures. However, it may be difficult to evaluate different surgical strategies for the fracture treatments due to variations in patients’ anatomies and surgical techniques. Thus, the purpose of the present study was to analyze the biomechanical performances of the intact, injured, and treated pelvises based on different physiological movements of the spine using finite element method. Three-dimensional musculoskeletal finite element models of the spine-pelvis-femur complex were developed. The intact pelvis, the rotationally unstable pelvis, and six types of pelvic fixation techniques were analyzed. Additionally, seven types of physiological movements of the spine were also considered. The results showed that the posterior iliosacral screws combined with lower and anterior plate (PIS-LAP) had good fixation stability, lower plate stress, and lower pelvic stress. However, the PIS-LAP increased the stress of the posterior iliosacral screws. The right lateral bending, left lateral bending, and flexion significantly affect all the biomechanical performances compared to the other physiological movements of the spine. The present study can provide engineers and surgeons with the understanding of the biomechanics of various fixation techniques during different physiological movements for the treatment of rotationally unstable pelvic fractures.