Spinopelvic fixation: modern technical solutions

The paper presents the second part of literature review devoted to modern techniques of spinopelvic fixation for various pathologies of the spine and injuries to the spine and pelvis. The review is non-systematic and was conducted using PubMed and eLibrary databases of medical literature. Modern techniques of spinopelvic fixation using screws installed in the ilium are highlighted, including anatomical and biomechanical features, clinical results of application, as well as the implementation of spinopelvic fixation for tumor lesions of the sacrum, including the use of customized implants and additive technologies. The features of classical installation of iliac screws and installation by the S2AIS technique are considered, and their advantages and disadvantages and possible complications are evaluated.

A rare case of an expansile spinopelvic aneurysmal bone cyst managed with embolization, excision, and fusion

Background: Aneurysmal bone cysts (ABC) are benign osteolytic lesions of the metaphyseal regions of long bones that typically contribute to rapid bony expansion. Here, we present an ABC involving the spinopelvic region in a 15-year-old male that required embolization, surgical excision, and fusion. Case Description: A 15-year-old male, presented with gradually progressive painful lower back swelling of 4 months’ duration. Once the diagnosis of an ABC was established based on a combination of X-ray, MR, and CT studies, he underwent selective arterial embolization, extended surgical excision (i.e. curettage), with a posterior fusion. Two years postoperatively, the patient remained neurologically intact without radiographic evidence of lesion recurrence. Conclusion: Large expansile ABC involving the vertebral bodies should be managed with preoperative selective arterial embolization, surgical decompression/curettage, and spinopelvic fixation.

Clinical and Patient-Related Outcome After Stabilization of Dorsal Pelvic Ring Fractures: A Retrospective Study Comparing Transiliac Fixator (TIFI) and Spinopelvic Fixation (SPF)

Purpose: Aim of this retrospective cohort study was the comparison of the transiliac fixator (TIFI) and spinopelvic fixation (SPF) for fixation of dorsal pelvic ring fractures in terms of clinical outcome, complications, and quality of life.Methods: Thirty-eight patients (23 men, 15 women; mean age 47 ± 19 years) with dorsal pelvic ring fractures (type-C-injuries after AO/OTA) that have been stabilized by either TIFI (group TIFI, n = 22) or SPF (group SPF, n = 16) between May 2015 and December 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Outcome measurements included demographic data, perioperative parameters, and complications and were obtained from the medical information system. Quality of life was assessed using the German version of the short form 36 (SF-36) and short muskuloskeletal function assessment (SMFA-D). Clinical results were assessed using Merle d'Aubigné-Score, Iowa Pelvic Score, and Majeed Pelvic Score.Results: Both groups show relatively good post-operative results, which has previously been reported. Quality of life was comparable in both groups. Group TIFI was slightly superior regarding complication rates, cutting/suture time, and fluoroscopy time. Group SPF seemed to be superior regarding pain and pelvic scores.Conclusion: None of the methods could demonstrate significant superiority over the other. Management of pelvic injuries remains a highly individual challenge adapted to the individual patients' condition. Nevertheless, if fractures allow for stabilization with TIFI, the use of this method should be taken into consideration as a less invasive and more tissue-conserving approach.

Nerve preservation during partial sacrectomy by two-stage anterior and posterior approach: illustrative case

BACKGROUND Preserving the neurological function of sacral nerves during total or partial sacrectomy is challenging. OBSERVATIONS The authors describe a case of an osseous desmoplastic fibroma of the sacrum in a 51-year-old woman. The patient attended the authors’ institution with loss of muscle strength and sensitivity impairment in both legs, gait instability, bowel constipation, urinary incontinence, and weight loss. Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography/computed tomography showed intrapelvic and posterior extension of the tumor but sparing of S1 and the sacroiliac and lumbosacral joints. After a multidisciplinary discussion of the case, a staged anterior–posterior approach to the sacrum was chosen. The abdominal approach allowed full mobilization of the uterus, ovaries, bladder, and colon and protection of iliac vessels. After tumor resection, a synthetic surgical mesh was placed over the sacrum to minimize soft tissue defects. Then, the posterior stage allowed the authors to perform a bicortical osteotomy, achieving wide tumor excision with minimal nerve root injury. Spinopelvic fixation was not necessary, because both sacroiliac and lumbosacral joints remained intact. A few days after the surgery, the patient restarted ambulation and recovered sphincter control. LESSONS Multidisciplinary planning and a staged abdominal and posterior approach for partial sacrectomy were fundamental to preserve neurological function in this case.

Spinopelvic fixation: indications, anatomical and biomechanical aspects and historical development of methods

A review of the literature on performing spinopelvic fixation for injuries and various pathologies of the spine and pelvis is presented. The review is analytical in nature and was carried out using databases of medical literature and search resources of PubMed and eLibrary. The following aspects are highlighted: the relevance and indications for performing spinopelvic fixation and its anatomical and biomechanical features. The historical aspects of the development of methods for performing spinopelvic fixation are considered and structured. The analysis of various methods of spinopelvic fixation (using hooks, screw insertion into the S2 sacral wings, L-shaped Luque rods, distractors, transiliac rods, Jackson, Harrington and Galveston techniques) was carried out. The features of surgical techniques, their advantages, disadvantages and complications are considered.

Comparison of free vascularized fibular flaps and allograft fibular strut grafts to supplement spinopelvic reconstruction for sacral malignancies

Aims Orthopaedic and reconstructive surgeons are faced with large defects after the resection of malignant tumours of the sacrum. Spinopelvic reconstruction is advocated for resections above the level of the S1 neural foramina or involving the sacroiliac joint. Fixation may be augmented with either free vascularized fibular flaps (FVFs) or allograft fibular struts (AFSs) in a cathedral style. However, there are no studies comparing these reconstructive techniques. Methods We reviewed 44 patients (23 female, 21 male) with a mean age of 40 years (SD 17), who underwent en bloc sacrectomy for a malignant tumour of the sacrum with a reconstruction using a total (n = 20), subtotal (n = 2), or hemicathedral (n = 25) technique. The reconstructions were supplemented with a FVF in 25 patients (57%) and an AFS in 19 patients (43%). The mean length of the strut graft was 13 cm (SD 4). The mean follow-up was seven years (SD 5). Results There was no difference in the mean age, sex, length of graft, size of the tumour, or the proportion of patients with a history of treatment with radiotherapy in the two groups. Reconstruction using an AFS was associated with nonunion (odds ratio 7.464 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.77 to 31.36); p = 0.007) and a significantly longer mean time to union (12 months (SD 3) vs eight (SD 3); p = 0.001) compared with a reconstruction using a FVF. Revision for a pseudoarthrosis was more likely to occur in the AFS group compared with the FVF group (hazard ratio 3.84 (95% CI 0.74 to 19.80); p = 0.109); however, this was not significant. Following the procedure, 32 patients (78%) were mobile with a mean Musculoskeletal Tumor Society Score 93 of 52% (SD 24%). There was a significantly higher mean score in patients reconstructed with a FVF compared with an AFS (62% vs 42%; p = 0.003). Conclusion Supplementation of spinopelvic reconstruction with a FVF was associated with a shorter time to union and a trend towards a reduced risk of hardware failure secondary to nonunion compared with reconstruction using an AFS. Spinopelvic fixation supplemented with a FVF is our preferred technique for reconstruction following resection of a sacral tumour. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2021;103-B(8):1414–1420.

Remaining spine deformity after revision surgery for pelvic reconstruction and spinopelvic fixation: illustrative case

BACKGROUND Pelvic deformity after resection of malignant pelvic tumors causes scoliosis. Although the central sacral vertical line (CSVL) is often used to evaluate the coronal alignment and determine the treatment strategy for scoliosis, it is not clear whether the CSVL is a suitable coronal reference axis in cases with pelvic deformity. This report proposes a new coronal reference axis for use in cases with pelvic deformity and discusses the pathologies of spinal deformity remaining after revision surgery. OBSERVATIONS A 14-year-old boy who had undergone internal hemipelvectomy and pelvic ring reconstruction 2 years prior was referred to our hospital with severe back pain. His physical and radiographic examinations revealed severe scoliosis with pelvic deformity. The authors planned a surgical strategy based on the CSVL and performed pelvic ring reconstruction using free vascularized fibula graft and spinopelvic fixation from L5 to the pelvis. After the procedure, although the patient’s back pain was relieved, his scoliosis persisted. At the latest follow-up, his spinal deformity correction was acceptable with corset bracing. Therefore, the authors did not perform additional surgeries. LESSONS The CSVL may not be appropriate for evaluating coronal alignment in cases with pelvic deformity. Accurate preoperative planning is required to correct spinal deformities with pelvic deformity.