Differences in Accuracy and Radiation Dose in Placement of Iliosacral Screws: Comparison between 3D and 2D Fluoroscopy

Percutaneous iliosacral screw fixation is a widely accepted method of stabilizing the posterior pelvic ring. Recently developed tools such as 3D-navigated fluoroscopy and computed navigation seem to prevent a surgeon from conducting screw misplacement. The study aimed to comparatively assess the introduction of sacroiliac screw placement using 2D and 3D fluoroscopy in terms of accuracy and radiation exposure. Iliosacral screws were introduced in 37 patients using 2D (group N1) and in 36 patients using 3D fluoroscopy (group N2) techniques. Overall, 61 and 56 screws were introduced in groups N1 and N2, respectively. Screw placement accuracy was assessed using postoperative computed tomography and Smith’s scale. Intraoperative radiation exposure was also assessed. No differences were noted between groups in terms of screw positioning accuracy and radiation dose. Both 2D and 3D fluoroscopy provide good visualization for safely placing percutaneous iliosacral joint screws. Using 3D fluoroscopy-based navigation in comparison with 2D fluoroscopy is not advantageous.

Pelvic Ring Injury Mortality: Are We Getting Better?

OBJECTIVES

To determine if changes in pelvic trauma care and treatment protocols have affected overall mortality rates after pelvic ring injury.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

Level I trauma center.

PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS

A total of 3314 patients with pelvic ring injuries who presented to a single referral center from 1999 to 2018 were included in the study.

INTERVENTION

Pelvic ring management, years 1999-2006 versus years 2007-2018.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS

In hospital mortality. Other examined variables included change in patient demographics, fracture characteristics, date of injury, associated injuries, length of hospital stay, Abbreviated Injury Severity Score.

RESULTS

The composite mortality rate was 6.5% (214/3314). The earliest cohort presented a mortality rate of 9.1% [111/1224; 95% confidence interval (CI), 7.6%-10.8%] compared with the more recent cohort mortality rate of 4.9% (103/2090; 95% CI, 4.1%-5.9%). Overall mortality was significantly lower in the more recent period, a risk difference of 4.1% (95% CI, 2.3%-6.1%; P < 0.01). After adjusting for age and Abbreviated Injury Severity Score of the brain, chest, and abdomen, the mortality reduction was more pronounced with an adjusted risk difference of 6.4% (95% CI, 4.7%-8.1%; P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Significant improvement in the mortality rate of pelvic ring injuries has been demonstrated in recent years (4.9% vs. 9.1%) and the difference is even large when accounting for known confounders. Improvement appears to coincide chronologically with changes in trauma resuscitation and implementation of adjuvant treatments for managing patients with severe hemorrhagic shock. Although the exact benefit of each treatment awaits further research, these data might indicate improved care over time for these difficult patients.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

A screw view model of navigation guided minimal invasive percutaneous pelvic screws insertion for lateral compression pelvic ring injuries: A case report

RATIONALE

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the accuracy, effectiveness, and safety of screw view model of navigation (SVMN) guided minimal invasive percutaneous pelvic screws (PPSs) insertion for lateral compression pelvic ring injuries (PRI).

PATIENT CONCERNS

A female patient experienced a high falling injury, and presented with pain, swelling, deformity, and movement limitation of the left hip for 3 hours.

DIAGNOSES

She was diagnosed with pelvic fractures, left iliac fracture, left pubic branch fracture, left ischial branch fracture, and lumbar transverse process fracture.

INTERVENTIONS

We used a SVMN technique to guide PPSs insertion, including a percutaneous anterior inferior iliac spine screw, a percutaneous iliac screw (PIS), and a percutaneous sacroiliac screw (PSIS).

OUTCOMES

In total, 3 PPSs were inserted and all were presented with excellent position postoperatively. The designing time of all screws was 11.7 minutes, the time of all guide needles insertion was 18.1 minutes, the time of all screws insertion was 32.8 minutes, blood loss was 21 mL, and the time of radiation exposure lasted 7.2 minutes. Moreover, surgical complications, including neurovascular compromise, wound infection, fracture nonunion, and screw loosening, were not observed during the 12 months follow up visit.

LESSONS

SVMN technique guided PPSs insertion is an effective and safety approach for the treatment of PRI in selected patients. Besides, it is necessary for surgeons to master the rationale of computer navigation, to familiar with the anatomy of pelvis and to select suitable patients.

Anterior pelvic plating and sacroiliac joint fixation in unstable pelvic ring injuries

PURPOSE

To analyze the effectiveness of anterior pelvic plating and subsequent percutaneous sacroiliac joint screw fixation in patients with unstable pelvic ring injuries.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty-two patients were included with twenty-one males and eleven females. The mean age was 41 years (range, 19-76). The mean follow-up period was 51 months (range, 36-73). According to AO-OTA classification, there were 11 cases of B2 injuries, 8 cases of B3 injuries, 9 cases of C1 injuries, 2 cases of C2 injuries and 2 cases of C3 injuries. In the posterior lesions, there were 20 cases of sacral fractures and 12 cases of sacroiliac joint disruptions or dislocations. Anterior pelvic plating and subsequent percutaneous sacroiliac joint fixation were performed.

RESULTS

The clinical results were 16 cases of excellent, 10 cases of good, 4 cases of moderate and 2 cases of poor functional results. The 2 cases out of 7 moderate reductions had poor functional results with residual neurologic symptoms. The radiological results were 16 cases of anatomic, 9 cases of nearly anatomic and 7 cases of moderate reduction. All patients were healed except 3 cases of nonunion at the pubic ramus. The complications encountered were 3 cases of screw loosening, 2 cases of anterior plate breakage and 1 case of postoperative infection.

CONCLUSION

In patients with unstable pelvic ring injuries, anterior pelvic plating and subsequent percutaneous sacroiliac joint screw fixation may be a useful surgical option. The radiological results and residual neurologic symptoms had effects on its functional results.