Lumbopelvic fixation provided reliable fracture stability and allowed consistent fracture union without loss of alignment. Neurological outcome was, in part, influenced by completeness of injury and presence of sacral root disruption.
Sacral dysmorphism occurred in 44% of patients in this consecutive series. Many anatomic differences were consistently found between the two morphologies with clinical relevance to iliosacral screw placement. Specifically, the dysmorphic upper sacral segment safe zone is significantly smaller and more obliquely oriented but is still large enough to accommodate an iliosacral screw in nearly all patients. The second sacral segment safe zone is approximately transversely oriented in both sacral types but is more than twice as large in dysmorphic sacra. This segment may be a primary fixation opportunity in patients with sacral dysmorphism.
These sacral fractures are rare and occur after significant spinal axial loading. A paradoxic inlet view of the upper sacrum on the anteroposterior plain pelvic radiograph heralds the diagnosis. Delayed diagnosis is avoided by a high clinical suspicion, early lateral sacral radiographs, and pelvic computed tomography scans. Surgical stabilization may assist in early mobilization of the patient from recumbency and prevents progressive deformity with associated nerve root injury. Percutaneous fixation diminishes potential blood loss and operative times, yet still allows subsequent sacral decompression of the local neural elements using open techniques when necessary. Early percutaneous iliosacral screw fixation is effective treatment for these injuries.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.