Transverse Fracture of the Upper Sacrum

Modified triangular posterior osteosynthesis of unstable sacrum fracture

“…In the past, often these fractures-in particular the transverse fractures-were undiagnosed and untreated, resulting in neurological deficit [7,14]. Moreover, the absence of satisfactory surgical techniques to treat those injuries led some authors to advocate non-operative treatment [1,3].…”

“…The idea was to perform a PTO without touching the sacrum and reduce the necessity to put the hardware at the fracture site, which is technically demanding [7,14,16,17]. We also noted the possibility of obtaining intraoperatively a good reduction in cases of vertically unstable sacral fractures associated with type C pelvis injuries.…”

“…The average age was 31 years (range 22-41). The Denis classification [2] was used to subdivide longitudinal sacral fractures associated with vertical shear lesion of the pelvis; while, for the transverse fracture we used the Roy-Camille classification [14].…”

“…On the other hand, a transverse fracture of the upper sacrum, or ''suicidal jamper's fracture'' described by RoyCamille [14], represents a specific entity, and is often a displaced fracture associated with perineal neurological deficit. In the case of displacement, a surgical treatment, consisting of open reduction and stabilization with lumboiliac plates, lumbosacral plates or Harrington rods associated with a transverse bi-iliac bar, is mandatory [14].…”

“…In the case of displacement, a surgical treatment, consisting of open reduction and stabilization with lumboiliac plates, lumbosacral plates or Harrington rods associated with a transverse bi-iliac bar, is mandatory [14].…”