A novel technique for stabilising sacroiliac joint dislocation using spinal instrumentation: technical notes and clinical outcomes

Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg. 2022 Aug;48(4):3193-3201. doi: 10.1007/s00068-021-01873-z. Epub 2022 Jan 13.

Abstract

Purpose: Currently, sacroiliac joint dislocations, including crescent fracture-dislocations, are treated using several techniques that have certain issues. We present the technical details and clinical outcomes of a new technique, anterior sacroiliac stabilisation (ASIS), performed using spinal instrumentation.

Methods: ASIS is performed with the patient in a supine position via the ilioinguinal approach. The displacements are reduced and fixed by inserting cancellous screws from the sacral ala and iliac brim; the screw heads are bridged using a rod and locked. We performed a retrospective review of patients with iliosacral disruption who underwent ASIS between May 2012 and December 2020 at two medical facilities. The patients were assessed for age, sex, injury type, associated injuries, complications, functional outcome by evaluating the Majeed pelvic score after excluding the sexual intercourse score and fracture union.

Results: We enrolled 11 patients (median age: 63 years). The median operative time was 195 min, median blood loss was 570 g, and eight patients (72.3%) required blood transfusion. The sacral and iliac screws had a diameter of 6.0-8.0 mm and 6.2-8.0 mm, and a length of 50-70 mm and 40-80 mm, respectively. Bone union was achieved with no marked loss of reduction in the median follow-up period of 12 months in all cases. The median Majeed score at the final follow-up was 85/96.

Conclusion: ASIS is a rigid internal fixation method that provides angular stability. Despite invasiveness issues compared to iliosacral screw fixation, this method is easy to confirm and achieves precise reduction.

Keywords: Iliosacral disruption; Internal fixation; Sacroiliac joint crescent fracture–dislocation; Sacroiliac joint dislocation; Sacroiliac joint stabilisation; Unstable pelvic ring fractures.

MeSH terms

  • Bone Screws
  • Fracture Fixation, Internal / methods
  • Fractures, Bone* / surgery
  • Humans
  • Joint Dislocations* / diagnostic imaging
  • Joint Dislocations* / surgery
  • Middle Aged
  • Pelvic Bones* / injuries
  • Pelvic Bones* / surgery
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Sacroiliac Joint / diagnostic imaging
  • Sacroiliac Joint / injuries
  • Sacroiliac Joint / surgery
  • Treatment Outcome