Study finds advantages to percutaneous lumbopelvic fixation for sacral fractures

NEW ORLEANS — Percutaneous lumbopelvic fixation can be safely performed with reasonable blood loss and reasonable surgical duration, according to a study presented at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting.

“Immediate mobilization is possible [with percutaneous fixation], early weight-bearing is tolerated without restrictions [and] there is a favorable complication profile,” Seth K. Williams, MD, said.

Williams and colleagues studied 15 patients who received percutaneous fixation of spino-pelvic dissociation patterns between 2009 and 2012. Immediate weight-bearing as tolerated was permitted. Researchers gathered data on blood loss, wound problems, surgical time, complications, screw accuracy and fluoroscopy time. Mean follow-up time was 754 days

Average surgical duration was 2.5 hours, contained less than 200 mL of blood loss and average time to mobilize the patient to standing was 8.5 days. There were two instances of wound infections, although the hardware was retained as both patients were successfully treated with debridement and antibiotics. Williams said this was significant as wound healing and wound infection are frequent problems in open fixation of sacral fractures.

All fractures achieved union and there was no instance of instrumentation failure. Eight patients underwent instrumentation removal. – by Christian Ingram

Reference:

Williams S. Paper #506. Presented at the: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting; March 11-15, 2014; New Orleans.

Disclosure: Williams is a paid consultant of DePuy Synthes.