Surgical Management of Aged Complex Sacral Injuries by Lumbopelvic Stabilization

Abstract

Objective: Evaluate the surgical indications, epidemiological data, radiographic outcomes, and postoperative complications of 16 cases of aged complex sacral fractures treated using bilateral spinopelvic fixation (PEF) or triangular osteosynthesis (OT) techniques in a case referral service. Traumatology and orthopedics complexes. Methods: A longitudinal study based on a retrospective review of patients’ medical records with complex sacral fractures admitted between 2014 and 2020. All patients over 18 years of age whose time of evolution between the trauma and the surgical procedure was greater than or equal to three weeks were included. Results: The mean age was 39.8 years (18 to 71). Anterior pelvic ring injuries represented the most common association, present in 12 (75%) cases. In 8 (50%) cases, there was no neurological injury, 1 (6.2%) individual evolved with paresthesia, 2 (12.5%) with paresis in the lower limbs, and 5 (31.3%) with sphincter dysfunctions. Among the patients with neurological impairment, 4 (50%) evolved with complete improvement, 2 (25%) showed partial improvement, and 2 (25%) cases remained with the deficit. The mean surgical time was 3.6 hours for OT and 4.9 hours for FEP. Postoperative complications occurred in 4 (44.4%) patients who underwent PEF, and there were no postoperative complications in the OT group. Conclusions: The surgical management of these lesions using OT and FEP proved safe and effective. The minimum follow-up was 12 months, and all the individuals analyzed showed good evolution. Level of evidence IV; case series.