Pelvic fractures are often caused by high-energy trauma. The condition of patients is complex and requires active therapy. The treatment of pelvic fractures includes conservative and surgical treatment. Surgical treatment is suitable for patients with unstable pelvic fractures. In recent years,the anterior subcutaneous internal fixator (INFIX) for the treatment of unstable pelvic fractures has been popularized and achieved extraordinary outcomes. INFIX is a relatively novel technology for the treatment of anterior pelvic ring fractures. It has excellent biomechanical properties, a wide range of indications, and has the advantages of minimally invasive, convenient care, fewer complications, and better clinical outcomes. If patients with anterior pelvic ring fractures have the indications for INFIX after careful evaluation, INFIX is recommended. This article summarizes the research progress of INFIX in the treatment of anterior pelvic ring fractures, and summarizes its surgical methods, biomechanical properties, indications, advantages, complications and clinical outcomes.
Objective To explore the effectiveness of reduction robot combined with navigation robot-assisted minimally invasive treatment for Tile type B pelvic fractures. Methods Between January 2022 and February 2023, 10 patients with Tile type B pelvic fractures were admitted. There were 6 males and 4 females with an average age of 45.5 years (range, 30-71 years). The fractures were caused by traffic accident in 5 cases, bruising by heavy object in 3 cases, and falling from height in 2 cases. The interval between injury and operation ranged from 4-13 days (mean, 6.8 days). There were 2 cases of Tile type B1 fractures, 1 case of Tile type B2 fracture, and 7 cases of Tile type B3 fractures. After closed reduction under assistance of reduction robot, the anterior ring was fixed with percutaneous screws with or without internal fixator, and the posterior ring was fixed with sacroiliac joint screws under assistance of navigation robot. The time of fracture reduction assisted by the reduction robot was recorded and the quality of fracture reduction was evaluated according to the Matta scoring criteria. The operation time, intraoperative fluoroscopy frequency and time, intraoperative bleeding volume, and incidence of complications were also recorded. During follow-up, the X-ray film of pelvis was taken to review the fracture healing, and the Majeed score was used to evaluate hip joint function. Results The time of fracture reduction was 42-62 minutes (mean, 52.3 minutes). The quality of fracture reduction according to the Matta scoring criteria was rated as excellent in 4 cases, good in 5 cases, and poor in 1 case, with excellent and good rate of 90%. The operation time was 180-235 minutes (mean, 215.5 minutes). Intraoperative fluoroscopy was performed 18-66 times (mean, 31.8 times). Intraoperative fluoroscopy time was 16-59 seconds (mean, 28.6 seconds). The intraoperative bleeding volume was 50-200 mL (range, 110.0 mL). No significant vascular or nerve injury occurred during operation. All patients were followed up 13-18 months (mean, 16 months). X-ray films showed that all fractures healed with the healing time of 11-14 weeks (mean, 12.3 weeks). One case of ectopic ossification occurred during follow-up. At last follow-up, the Majeed score was 70-92 (mean, 72.7), and the hip joint function was rated as excellent in 2 cases and good in 8 cases, with the excellent and good rate of 100%. Conclusion The reduction robot combined with navigation robot-assisted minimally invasive treatment for Tile type B pelvic fractures has the characteristics of intelligence, high safety, convenient operation, and minimally invasive treatment, which can achieve reliable effectiveness.
Objective To investigate the surgical treatments of Morel-Lavallée lesion with perineal lacerations. Methods From March 2003 to June 2009, 18 cases of Morel-Lavallée lesion with perineal lacerations were treated. There were 16 males and 2 females with a median age of 28.5 years (range, 3-54 years). The time between the injury and hospital ization ranged from 3 hours to 7 days. The lesions were in the greater trochanter (2 cases), the gluteal (2 cases), the lumbar flank (1 case), the lumbar sacrum (3 cases), the pelvic girdle (7 cases), and the hip (3 cases). All the cases were compl icated with perineal lacerations, which included male genital ia defect (2 cases), mangled genital ia (2 cases), and genital ia injuries with anal injuries (14 cases). The main treatments included repeated debridement, external fixation of fractures, vacuum seal ing drainage, skin grafting, reconstruction of genital ia, and anoplasty. Results Three cases died after operation. Two cases died of multiple system organ failure, 1 case died of septic shock. Three cases were amputated and the causes were mangled extremities (2 cases) and osteofascial compartment syndrome (1 case). In 15 survivors, the average time of operations was 3.6 times (range, 3-8 times) and the average hospital ization days was 43.3 days (range, 32-108 days). After a follow-up of 6 months to 2 years, all perineal wounds healed. Anals recovered the normal defecation while one with ostomy was waiting for the secondly resetting of the bowels. Conclusion The treatments of Morel-Lavallée lesion with perineal lacerations were significantly different from simple close Morel-Lavallée lesion. With high mortal ity and disabil ity, Morel-Lavallée lesion with perineal lacerations require more challenging treatment protocols among which the most important is the soft tissue management and nutrition. The satisfactory outcomes come from joint efforts of multiple departments.
ObjectiveTo introduce the experience of intelligent monitoring system assisted pelvic fracture closed reduction to treat complex pelvic fracture in a minimally invasive method.MethodsA 30-year-old male patient with complex pelvic fracture caused by a falling injury was treated in December 2019. The pelvic fracture was diagnosed by X-ray film and CT three-dimensional reconstruction. The AO/Orthopaedic Trauma Association (AO/OTA) classification was 61-C3.3 type (H-shaped sacrum fracture with pubic symphysis separation). At 48 hours after injury, the vital signs were stable, and the operation was performed. The pelvic fracture was reduced with the help of pelvic reduction frame and skeletal traction, the intelligent monitoring system, and fixed with the channel screws.ResultsThe intraoperative blood loss was 50 mL, the operation time was 180 minutes, and the fluoroscopy time was 45 seconds. The incision healed well after operation. The X-ray film of pelvis was taken on the next day after operation, and the fracture reduction was evaluated as anatomical reduction according to Matta standard; CT three-dimensional reconstruction showed that the fixation screws were all located in the cortex of bone, without penetrating the cortex of bone.ConclusionThe intelligent monitoring system assisted pelvic fracture closed reduction is reliable in the minimally invasive treatment of complex pelvic fractures, which can achieve good results and reduce intraoperative fluoroscopy.
Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics of unstable pelvic fractures and to find out an alternative for the treatment. Methods From October 2000 to June 2004, fifty-six patients with unstable pelvic fractures were treated by open reduction and pelvic-reconstructed plate fixation to recover the anatomical structure of pelvis and acetabulum. According to Tile classification, 33 cases were type B (15 cases were Tile B1, 11 cases were Tile B2, 7 cases were Tile B3); 23 cases were type C (10 cases were Tile C1, 8 cases were Tile C2, 5 cases were Tile C3). Results The 56 cases were followed up 12 to 68 months(26 months in average).All cases with fractures got healed during 3 to 6 mouths. According to the Majeed evaluation, 40 cases were excellent, 11 cases were good, 4 cases were fair, and only one case was a failure. The rate of excellency and goodness was 91.07%.The pelvic abnormity was rectified; partial patients felt light pain in iliac scar. Conclusion The choice of the proper operative approach and pelvic-reconstructed plate fixation by allowingfor fracture classification is a good and dependable means for treating unstablepelvic fractures.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of three-dimensional (3D) printing assisted internal fixation for unstable pelvic fractures.MethodsThe clinical data of 28 patients with unstable pelvic fractures admitted between March 2015 and December 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into two groups according to different surgical methods. Eighteen cases in the control group were treated with traditional anterior and posterior open reduction and internal fixation with plate; 10 cases in the observation group were treated with 3D printing technology to make pelvic models and assist in shaping the subcutaneous steel plates of the anterior ring. Sacroiliac screw navigation template was designed and printed to assist posterior ring sacroiliac screw fixation. There was no significant difference between the two groups in gender composition, age, cause of injury, fracture type, and time interval from injury to surgery (P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, intraoperative fluoroscopy times, incision length, waiting time for weight-bearing exercise, and fracture healing time were recorded and compared between the two groups. Majeed score was used to evaluate the function at last follow-up. At immediate after operation, the reduction was evaluated according to Matta imaging scoring criteria, and the success of sacroiliac joint screw implantation in the observation group was evaluated. The deviation of screw entry point and direction between postoperative screws and preoperative simulated screws were compared in the observation group.ResultsAll the operation was successfully completed, and all patients were followed up 6-18 months (mean, 14.4 months). In the control group, 1 case had wound infection and 2 cases had deep vein thrombosis. No serious complication such as important blood vessels, and nerve injury and pulmonary embolism occurred in other patients in the two groups. No screw pulling out or steel plate breaking occurred. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, fluoroscopy times, incision length, and waiting time for weight-bearing exercise of the control group were significantly more than those of the observation group (P<0.05); there was no significant difference in fracture healing time between the two groups (t=0.12, P=0.90). There was no significant difference in reduction quality between the two groups at immediate after operation (Z=–1.05, P=0.30); Majeed score of the observation group was significantly better than that of the control group at last follow-up (Z=–2.42, P=0.02). The success rate of sacroiliac joint screw implantation in the observation group reached category Ⅰ. In the observation group, the deviation angle of the direction of the screw path between the postoperative screw and the preoperative simulated screw implant was (0.09±0.22)°, and the deviation values of the entry points on the X, Y, and Z axes were (0.13±0.63), (0.14±0.58), (0.15±0.53) mm, respectively. There was no significant difference when compared with those before the operation (all values were 0) (P>0.05).ConclusionComputer design combined with 3D printing technology to make personalized pelvic model and navigation template applied to unstable pelvic fractures, is helpful to accurately place sacroiliac screw, reduce the operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and the fluoroscopy times, has good waiting time for weight-bearing exercise and function, and it is an optional surgical treatment for unstable fractures.
Objective To investigate the early effectiveness of transiliac-transsacral screws internal fixation assisted by augmented reality navigation system HoloSight (hereinafter referred to as “computer navigation system”) in the treatment of posterior pelvic ring injuries. MethodsA retrospective analysis was made in the 41 patients with posterior pelvic ring injuries who had been treated surgically with transiliac-transsacral screws between June 2022 and June 2023. The patients were divided into navigation group (18 cases, using computer navigation system to assist screw implantation) and freehand group (23 cases, using C-arm X-ray fluoroscopy to guide screw implantation) according to the different methods of transiliac-transsacral screws placement. There was no significant difference in gender, age, body mass index, causes of injuries, Tile classification of pelvic fracture, days from injury to operation, usage of unlocking closed reduction technique between the two groups (P>0.05). The time of screw implantation, the fluoroscopy times, the guide wire adjustment times of each screw, and the incidence of complications were recorded and compared between the two groups. The position of the transiliac-transsacral screw was scanned by CT within 2 days after operation, and the position of the screw was classified according to Gras standard. ResultsThe operation was successfully completed in both groups. The time of screw implantation, the fluoroscopy times, and the guide wire adjustment times of each screw in the navigation group were significantly less than those in the freehand group (P<0.05). There were 2 cases of incision infection in the freehand group, and the incision healed by first intention after active dressing change; there was no screw-related complication in the navigation group during operation and early period after operation; the difference in incidence of complications between the two groups (8.7% vs. 0) was not significant (P=0.495). According to the Gras standard, the screw position of the navigation group was significantly better than that of the freehand group (P<0.05). ConclusionCompared with the traditional freehand method, the computer navigation system assisted transiliac-transsacral screws internal fixation in the treatment of posterior pelvic ring injuries has advantages of improving the accuracy of screw implantation and reducing radiation damage and the time of screw implantation.
Objective To compare the reduction qualities of three-dimensional visible technique without fluoroscopy and two-dimensional fluoroscopy for unstable pelvic fractures during operations. Methods The clinical data of 40 patients with unstable pelvic fractures, who met the selection criteria in three clinical centers between June 2021 and September 2022, were retrospectively analyzed. According to the reduction methods, the patients were divided into two groups. Twenty patients in trial group were treated with unlocking closed reduction system combined with three-dimensional visible technique without fluoroscopy; 20 patients in control group with unlocking closed reduction system under two-dimensional fluoroscopy. There was no significant difference in the gender, age, injury mechanism, Tile type of fracture, Injury Severity Score (ISS), and the time between injury to operation between the two groups (P>0.05). The qualities of fracture reduction according to the Matta criteria, operative time, intraoperative blood loss, fracture reduction time, times of fluoroscopy, and System Usability Scale (SUS) score were recorded and compared. Results All operations were successfully completed in both groups. According to the Matta criteria, the qualities of fracture reduction were rated as excellent in 19 patients (95%) in trial group, which was better than that in the control group (13 cases, 65%), with a significant difference (χ2=3.906, P=0.048). The operative time and intraoperative blood loss had no significant differences between the two groups (P>0.05). The fracture reduction time and times of fluoroscopy were significantly less in trial group than in control group (P<0.05), and SUS score in trial group was significantly higher in trial group than in control group (P<0.05). ConclusionCompared to using unlocking closed reduction system under two-dimensional fluoroscopy, three-dimensional visible technique without fluoroscopy can significantly improve the reduction quality of unstable pelvic fractures without prolonging the operative time, and is valuable to reduce iatrogenic radiation exposure for patients and medical workers.
Objective To define a safe distance range from the LC-Ⅱ screw trajectory to the apex of the greater sciatic notch based on pelvic CT measurements, and to clinically assess the feasibility of using this range under obturator outlet view combined with iliac tangential view fluoroscopy to guide screw insertion. Methods CT scans of 104 normal pelvises collected between January 2022 and February 2025 were analyzed. There were 52 males and 52 females, with a median age of 45.8 years (range, 19-76 years). The RadiAnt DICOM Viewer software was used to reconstruct coronal, sagittal, and axial sections of the potential LC-II screw trajectory. The maximum safety distance (Dmax) and the optimal safety distance (Dopt) from this trajectory to the greater sciatic notch were measured on the coronal and sagittal views. A retrospective analysis was conducted on 21 patients with LC-Ⅱ type pelvic fractures treated with the LC-Ⅱ screws fixation. And the screws were placed within the pre-defined safe distance under guidance from the obturator outlet and iliac tangential views. Postoperative CT scans were obtained to evaluate the accuracy of screw placement. Results Radiographic measurements from the 104 cases showed that Dmax ranged from 1.87 to 3.87 cm (mean, 2.79 cm), and Dopt ranged from 1.01 to 2.92 cm (mean, 1.84 cm). Both Dmax and Dopt were significantly greater in the males than in the females (P>0.05). No significant difference was found between the left and right sides within the same gender (P>0.05). All 21 patients successfully underwent fracture reduction and fixation, with a total of 23 LC-Ⅱscrews implanted. According to the Lonstein grading system, the screw placement accuracy was rated as excellent in 16 screws, good in 3, fair in 3, and poor in 1, with an excellent and good rate of 82.6%. ConclusionUtilizing a CT-defined safe distance range from the screw trajectory to the greater sciatic notch, and adhering to this range under obturator outlet view combined with iliac tangential view fluoroscopy, enables the accurate and precise placement of LC-Ⅱ screws.
Objective To evaluate the security and effectiveness of minimal invasive fixation with fluoroscopybased navigation in the management of pelvic fractures. Methods From April 2007 to June 2008, 22 patients with pelvic fractures were treated with percutaneous screw fixation under the guidance of a fluoroscopy-based navigation system after closed reduction. There were 13 males and 9 females, aged 21-65 years old. Fractures were caused by traffic accident in 17 cases, andfall ing from height in 5 cases. According to AO classification, there were 2 cases of A2.2 type, 2 cases of A2.3 type, 7 cases of B1.2 type, 3 cases of B2.2 type, 1 case of B3.3 type, 2 cases of C1.2 type, 3 cases of C1.3 type, and 2 cases of C2.3 type. The interval from injury to hospital ization was 4 hours to 3 days (mean 1.2 days). After 3-13 days of skeletal traction through tibial tubercle, the operation was performed. Results Totally 42 screws were inserted. The average time for operation was 20.4 minutes per screw. Forty-one screws were inserted correctly with a successful insertion rate of 97.6%, only 1 hollow screw was reinserted for deviation. No incision problem and implant failure occurred. All 22 patients were followed up 7 to 21 months with an average of 14.5 months. At last follow-up, fracture union was achieved in all patients with satisfactory screw fixation. According to Majeed functional scoring, the results were excellent in 18 cases and good in 4 cases, with an excellent and good rate of 100%. Conclusion The minimal invasive fixation with fluoroscopy-based navigation makes the surgery for the pelvic fracture more precise and time-saving, and improves cl inical results without an increasing rate of compl ications.