Functional Outcomes and Quality of Life After Sacrum Fractures Managed by Either Operative or Conservative Approaches: A Case Series With One-Year Follow-Up

Abstract

BackgroundPelvic fractures caused by high-energy trauma, such as motor vehicle accidents or falls from a considerable height, commonly lead to sacral fractures. Approximately a quarter of sacral fractures are linked to neurological injury, and overlooking these fractures may result in neurological issues such as sexual dysfunction, hindered lower limb functionality, and urinary and rectal difficulties. The main goal of this study is to introduce our patient group who underwent either operative or nonoperative treatment for sacral fractures, with a follow-up period of one year, and assess their functional outcomes. MethodologyThis is a retrospective review of prospectively collected data from a consecutive series of patients at the Apex Trauma Centre, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow. A consecutive series of 24 patients (17-55 years old) with sacral fractures treated either operatively or nonoperatively from 2018 to 2023 was studied. A total of 20 patients were available for follow-up questionnaires, and 20 patients participated in a physical examination. Time to final follow-up averaged 27.19 months (range = 12-57 months). The personal data of each patient was collected, including gender, age, comorbidities, concomitant injuries, mechanism of injury, fracture pattern/classification, surgical or nonsurgical treatment, other surgeries, length of surgery, length of hospital stays, adverse events, complications, neurologic and/or motor deficits, bowel and bladder function, and mortality. At a minimum one-year follow-up, the Majeed score, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) questionnaire, and Gibbon's classification were assessed. ResultsAll fractures were healed. Five patients showed neurological weakness, with three patients having only paresthesia and two patients having lower limb weakness. The mean Majeed score was 75.4, representing a moderate clinical outcome. Final ODI scores averaged 10.6, representing mild disability among patients with sacrum fractures. Overall, 40% of sacrum fractures were associated with sexual dysfunction, with 30% of females and 50% of males reporting this issue. There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) between operated and conservatively managed sacrum fractures concerning ODI scores, neurological deficit, and sexual dysfunction. ConclusionsBoth male and female patients with traumatic sacrum fractures experienced a significant decrease in their quality of life and sexual function at least 12 months after their surgery. Sacrum fractures are associated with an increased prevalence of sexual dysfunction and bowel/bladder incontinence. Our study findings indicate that patients with sacrum fractures experience similar functional outcomes and incidences of sexual dysfunction irrespective of whether they are managed operatively or conservatively.