Lumbopelvic Fixation Versus Novel Adjustable Plate for Sacral Fractures: A Retrospective Comparative Study

• Published in: Journal of investigative surgery Vol. 33; no. 8; pp. 784 - 792
• Main Authors: Zhang, Ruipeng, Yin, Yingchao, Li, Shilun, Li, Ao, Hou, Zhiyong, Zhang, Yingze
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Taylor & Francis 13-09-2020; Taylor & Francis Group
• Subjects: Comparative; functional outcome; less invasive; lumbopelvic fixation; novel adjustable plate; radiographic appearance; sacral fractures; radiographic appearance; functional outcome; novel adjustable plate; sacral fractures; less invasive; lumbopelvic fixation; Comparative
• ISSN: 0894-1939; 1521-0553
• DOI: 10.1080/08941939.2019.1569737

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to compare the therapeutic effects of the lumbopelvic technique and a novel adjustable plate for sacral fractures. Materials and Methods: Patients with unilateral sacral fractures fixed via the lumbopelvic technique or using a novel adjustable plate from June 2011 to June 2017 were recruited into this study and were divided into two groups: group A (lumbopelvic fixation) and group B (novel adjustable plate). Surgical time, intraoperative blood loss, frequency of intraoperative fluoroscopy, reduction quality, and related complications were reviewed. Fracture healing was assessed by the radiographs conducted at follow-up. Functional outcome was evaluated according to the Majeed score at the final follow-up. Results: The mean blood loss and frequency of intraoperative fluoroscopy in group B were reduced compared with group A (both P < 0.001). The mean surgical time was 122.22 ± 13.09 minutes in group A and 103.96 ± 24.80 minutes in group B (P = 0.007). All patients healed well in this study, and no difference in the fracture healing time was noted between the two groups (P = 0.685). Satisfactory rates of reduction quality and functional outcome did not differ (both P > 0.05) in this study. The complication rate was 22.22% (4/18) in group A and 4.16% (1/24) in group B (P = 0.191). Conclusion: For patients with unilateral sacral fractures, satisfactory radiographic appearance and functional outcome could be obtained by both the lumbopelvic technique and a novel adjustable plate. However, the novel adjustable plate represents a less invasive technique with lower radiograph exposure.