Management of arterial and venous hemorrhage during sacrospinous ligament fixation: cases and review of the literature

Introduction and hypothesis

Sacrospinous ligament fixation (SSLF) for pelvic organ prolapse repair can incur significant intraoperative hemorrhage. Management of vascular injury is challenging because of limited visualization of the surrounding pararectal space and is not well described in the literature.

Methods

We evaluate cases of intraoperative venous and arterial hemorrhage during SSLF. Based on a review of the literature, we present a systematic approach to the treatment of venous and arterial hemorrhage associated with SSLF.

Results

Vascular injury to the hypogastric and pudendal venous plexi may be controlled using directed compression and topical hemostatic agents. Vascular injury to the inferior gluteal artery, its coccygeal branch, or other arteries, may require embolization.

Conclusion

Life-threatening bleeding is a rare complication of transvaginal SSLF. Knowledge of surrounding pelvic vascular anatomy, treatment options, and communication with ancillary staff is essential for the treatment of sacrospinous ligament hemorrhage.

     

Complications after transcatheter arterial embolization for pelvic trauma: relationship to level and laterality of embolization

Purpose

Transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) is commonly used to control hemorrhage after pelvic trauma. Despite the procedures reported safety, there can be severe complications, mostly related to ischemia of embolized tissues. Our purpose was to examine the complications of trauma patients resulting from the embolization techniques utilized at our level 1 trauma center.

Materials and methods

A retrospective chart review was conducted. One hundred and seven patients who underwent pelvic embolization between January 2003 and December 2013 were included. Patient demographics, ISS, angiography techniques, and major complications including gluteal and skin necrosis, wound breakdown, and deep infection were compared.

Results

Nine patients (8.4 %) developed major complications after undergoing TAE. This rate dropped to 5.1 % after exclusion of patients with Morel-Lavallee lesions. Nonselective embolization trended toward a higher complication rate compared to superselective embolization. Patients who developed complications were more likely to have undergone pelvic surgery.

Conclusion

The majority of patients who developed complications had nonselective TAE. Morel-Lavallee lesions are a confounding factor, but TAE may impose an additional risk. Pelvic surgery after TAE may further predispose patients to complications. We recommend superselective embolization as first-line treatment and caution the use of prophylactic embolization, especially in patients with substantial pelvic soft tissue injuries.

     

A small case series of aortic balloon occlusion in trauma: lessons learned from its use in ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms and a brief review

Background

EndoVascular and Hybrid Trauma Management (EVTM) is an emerging concept for the early treatment of trauma patients using aortic balloon occlusion (ABO), embolization agents and stent grafts to stop ongoing traumatic bleeding. These techniques have previously been implemented successfully in the treatment of ruptured aortic aneurysm.

Aims

We describe our very recent experience of EVTM using ABO in bleeding patients and lessons learned over the last 20 years from the endovascular treatment of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (rAAA). We also briefly describe current knowledge of ABO usage in trauma.

Methods

A small series of educational cases in our hospital is described, where endovascular techniques were used to gain temporary hemorrhage control. The methods used for rAAA and their applicability to EVTM with a multidisciplinary approach are presented.

Results

Establishing femoral arterial access immediately on arrival at the emergency room and use of an angiography table in the surgical suite may facilitate EVTM at an early stage. ABO may be an effective method for the temporary stabilization of severely hemodynamically unstable patients with hemorrhagic shock, and may be useful as a bridge to definitive treatment of the bleeding patients.

Conclusion

EVTM, including the usage of ABO, can be initiated on patient arrival and is feasible. Further data need to be collected to investigate proper indications for ABO, best clinical usage, results and potential complications. Accordingly, the ABOTrauma Registry has recently been set up. Existing experiences of EVTM and lessons from the endovascular treatment of rAAA may be useful in trauma management.

     

Beckenringinstabilitäten

Background

Pelvic ring injuries occur in patients aged 20–30 years old after high energy trauma and also in patients over the age of 65 years predominantly after low energy trauma. The latter have greatly increased. The necessity for treatment depends on the degree of instability and on the accompanying injuries and comorbidities.

Emergency treatment

Despite following effective treatment algorithms, pelvic ring injuries caused by high energy force still have a high mortality rate. The differentiation between pelvic ring fractures with or without life-threatening bleeding is extremely important in the initial phase of treatment of these patients. The emergency treatment of life-threatening pelvic ring fractures should be embedded in a standardized protocol for the treatment of severely injured patients. Among the first measures are external stabilization, such as pelvic ferrules and external fixators as well as surgical hemostasis of the lesser pelvis. The final osteosynthesis should be performed in the secondary phase when the patient shows stable vital signs.

Elective treatment

A pelvic ring fracture without relevant circulatory instability can be electively treated after completion of clinical diagnostics. Type A injuries are predominantly conservatively treated. In type B injuries stabilization of the anterior pelvic ring via osteosynthesis of the symphysis or external fixator is sufficient. The restoration of stability of the dorsal pelvic ring is the main task in type C injuries. Sacral fractures are a special feature. In cases of neurological disorders these fractures need immediate osteosynthesis after decompression of the neural structures. Highly unstable injuries require spinopelvic stabilization.

Results

The outcome of patients depends on the extent of the injuries suffered and on the quality of repositioning and stabilization. The results of radiological investigations were better than the functional outcome.

     

Transcatheter Arterial Embolization in Lower Gastrointestinal Bleeding: Ischemia Remains a Concern Even with a Superselective Approach

Purpose

To evaluate the safety, efficacy, and feasibility of transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) in the treatment of lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGIB).

Methods

Study group comprised all patients receiving angiography for LGIB in the Helsinki University Hospital during the period of 2004–2016. Hospital medical records provided the study data. Rebleeding, complication, and mortality rates (≤?30 days) were the primary outcomes. Secondary outcomes included need for blood transfusions, durations of intensive care unit and hospital admissions, incidence of delayed rebleeding, and long-term complications, as well as overall survival.

Results

During the study period, angiography for LGIB was necessary on 123 patients. Out of 123, 55 (45%) underwent embolization attempts. TAE was technically successful in 53 (96%). Rebleeding occurred in 14 (26%). The complication rate was 36%, minor complications occurring in 10 (19%) and major in nine (17%). Major complications resulted in bowel resection in seven (13%). Post embolization ischemia was the most common single complication seen in nine (17%). The mortality rate was 6%. Survival estimates of 1 and 5 years were 79 and 49%.

Discussion

LGIB is a severe physiological insult occurring in patients who are often elderly and moribund. Although major post embolization complications occur, transcatheter arterial embolization should be the first-line approach over surgery in profuse LGIB in patients with hemodynamic instability, when colonoscopy fails or is unavailable, or when computerized tomography angiography detects small intestinal bleeding.

     

Factors predicting the need for hemorrhage control intervention in patients with blunt pelvic trauma: a retrospective study

Background

Blunt pelvic injuries are often associated with pelvic fractures and injuries to the rectum and genitourinary tract. Pelvic fractures can lead to life-threatening hemorrhage, which is a common cause of morbidity and mortality in trauma. Thus, early identification of patients with pelvic fractures at risk severe bleeding requiring urgent hemorrhage control is crucial. This study aimed to investigate early factors predicting the need for hemorrhage control in blunt pelvic trauma.

Methods

The medical records of 1760 trauma patients were reviewed retrospectively between January 2013 and June 2018. We enrolled 187 patients with pelvic fracture due to blunt trauma who were older than 15 years. The pelvic fracture pattern was classified according to the Orthopedic Trauma Association/Arbeitsgemeinschaft fur Osteosynthesefragen (OTA/AO) classification. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to determine independent predictors of the need for pelvic hemorrhage control intervention.

Results

The most common pelvic fracture pattern was type A (54.5%), followed by types B (36.9%) and C (8.6%). Of 187 patients, 48 (25.7%) required pelvic hemorrhage control intervention. Hemorrhage control interventions were most frequently performed in patients with type B fractures (54.2%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that type B (odds ratio [OR] = 4.024, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.666–9.720, p = 0.002) and C (OR = 7.077, 95% CI = 1.781–28.129, p = 0.005) fracture patterns, decreased body temperature (OR = 2.275, 95% CI = 0.134–0.567, p < 0.001), and elevated serum lactate level (OR = 1.234, 95% CI = 1.061–1.435, p = 0.006) were factors predicting the need for hemorrhage control intervention in patients with blunt pelvic trauma.

Conclusion

Patients with type B and C fracture patterns on the OTA/AO classification, hypothermia, or an elevated serum lactate level are at risk for bleeding and require pelvic hemorrhage control intervention.

     

Accuracy of screw fixation using the O-arm<Superscript>®</Superscript> and StealthStation<Superscript>®</Superscript> navigation system for unstable pelvic ring fractures

Purpose

Screw fixation for unstable pelvic ring fractures is generally performed using the C-arm. However, some studies reported erroneous piercing with screws, nerve injuries, and vessel injuries. Recent studies have reported the efficacy of screw fixations using navigation systems. The purpose of this retrospective study was to investigate the accuracy of screw fixation using the O-arm^® imaging system and StealthStation^® navigation system for unstable pelvic ring fractures.

Methods

The participants were 10 patients with unstable pelvic ring fractures, who underwent screw fixations using the O-arm StealthStation navigation system (nine cases with iliosacral screw and one case with lateral compression screw). We investigated operation duration, bleeding during operation, the presence of complications during operation, and the presence of cortical bone perforation by the screws based on postoperative CT scan images. We also measured the difference in screw tip positions between intraoperative navigation screen shot images and postoperative CT scan images.

Results

The average operation duration was 71 min, average bleeding was 12 ml, and there were no nerve or vessel injuries during the operation. There was no cortical bone perforation by the screws. The average difference between intraoperative navigation images and postoperative CT images was 2.5 ± 0.9 mm, for all 18 screws used in this study.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that the O-arm StealthStation navigation system provides accurate screw fixation for unstable pelvic ring fractures.

     

Expanding the field of acute care surgery: a systematic review of the use of resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) in cases of morbidly adherent placenta

Purpose

Prophylactic placement of endovascular balloon occlusion catheters has grown to be part of the surgical plans to control intraoperative hemorrhage in cases of abnormal placentation. We performed a systematic literature review to investigate the safety and effectiveness of the use of REBOA during cesarean delivery in pregnant woman with morbidly adherent placenta.

Methods

A systematic review was performed. Relevant case reports and nonrandomized studies were identified by the literature search in MEDLINE. We included studies involving pregnant woman with diagnosis of abnormal placentation who underwent cesarean delivery with REBOA placed for hemorrhage control. MINORS’ criteria were used to evaluate the risk of bias of included studies. A formal meta-analysis was not performed.

Results

Eight studies were included in cumulative results. These studies included a total of 392 patients. Overall, REBOA was deployed in 336 patients. Six studies reported the use of REBOA as an adjunct for prophylactic hemorrhage control in pregnant woman with diagnosis of morbidly adherent placenta undergoing elective cesarean delivery. In two studies, REBOA was deployed in patients already in established hemorrhagic shock at the moment of cesarean delivery. REBOA was deployed primarily by interventional radiologists; however, one study reported a surgeon as the REBOA provider. The results from our qualitative synthesis indicate that the use of REBOA during cesarean delivery resulted in less blood loss with a low rate complications occurrence.

Conclusion

REBOA is a feasible, safe, and effective means of prophylactic and remedial hemorrhage control in pregnant women with abnormal placentation undergoing cesarean delivery.

     

Diagnosis and Treatment of Abdominal Arterial Bleeding After Radical Gastrectomy: a Retrospective Analysis of 1875 Consecutive Resections for Gastric Cancer

Background

Massive abdominal arterial bleeding is an uncommon yet life-threatening complication of radical gastrectomy. The exact incidence and standardized management of this lethal morbidity are not known.

Methods

Between January 2003 and December 2013, data from 1875 patients undergoing radical gastrectomy with D2 or D2 plus lymphadenectomy were recorded in a prospectively designed database from a single institute. The clinical data and management of both early (within 24 h) and late (beyond 24 h) postoperative abdominal arterial hemorrhages were explored. For late bleeding patients, transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) and re-laparotomy were compared to determine the better initial treatment option.

Results

The overall prevalence of postoperative abdominal arterial bleeding was 1.92 % (n?=?36), and related mortality was 33.3 % (n?=?12). Early and late postoperative bleedings were found in 6 and 30 patients, respectively. The onset of massive arterial bleeding occurred on average postoperative day 19. The common hepatic artery and its branches were the most common bleeding source (13/36; 36.1 %). All the early bleeding patients were treated with immediate re-laparotomy. For late bleeding, patients from the TAE group had a significantly lower mortality rate than that of the patients from the surgery group (7.69 vs. 56.25 %, respectively, P?=?0.008) as well as a shorter procedure time for bleeding control (2.3?±?1.1 vs. 4.8?±?1.7 h, respectively, P?<?0.001). Four rescue reoperations were performed for TAE failures; the salvage rate was 50 % (2/4). Ten patients developed massive re-bleeding after initial successful hemostasis by either TAE (5/13) or open surgery (5/16). Three out of the 10 re-bleeding patients died of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), while the other 7 recovered eventually by repeated TAE and/or surgery.

Conclusion

Abdominal arterial bleeding following radical gastrectomy tends to occur during the later phase after surgery, with further complications such as abdominal infection and fistula(s). For late bleeding, TAE can be considered as the first-line treatment when possible.

     

Complications of pelvic and acetabular fractures in 1331 morbidly obese patients (BMI ≥ 40): a retrospective observational study from the National Trauma Data Bank

Background

There have been no large-scale epidemiological studies of outcomes and perioperative complications in morbidly obese trauma patients who have sustained closed pelvic ring or acetabular fractures. We examined this population and compared their rate of inpatient complications with that of control patients.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the records of patients treated for closed pelvic ring or acetabular fracture, aged 16–85 years, with Injury Severity Scores ≤15 from the National Trauma Data Bank Research Dataset for the years 2007 through 2010. The primary outcome of interest was rate of in-hospital complications. Secondary outcomes were length of hospital stay and discharge disposition. Unadjusted differences in complication rates were evaluated using Student t tests and Chi-squared analyses. Multiple logistic and Poisson regression were used to analyze binary outcomes and length of hospital stay, respectively, adjusting for several variables. Statistical significance was defined as p?<?0.05.

Results

We included 46,450 patients in our study. Of these patients, 1331 (3%) were morbidly obese (body mass index ≥40) and 45,119 (97%) were used as controls. Morbidly obese patients had significantly higher odds of complication and longer hospital stay in all groups considered except those with pelvic fractures that were treated operatively. In all groups, morbidly obese patients were more likely to be discharged to a skilled nursing/rehabilitation facility compared with control patients.

Conclusions

Morbidly obese patients had higher rates of complications and longer hospital stays and were more likely to be discharged to rehabilitation facilities compared with control patients after pelvic ring or acetabular fracture.

     

Submucosal Hematoma of the Sigmoid Colon as a Complication of Anticoagulation Treatment

Background

Anticoagulation therapy after coronary stent implantation is necessary and crucial for patients with severe coronary heart disease. Submucosal bleeding of the colon is an infrequent complication of anticoagulants.

Methods

TWe present the case of a 70-year-old woman with spontaneous submucosal hematoma and active bleeding of her sigmoid colon due to anticoagulants after intracoronary stenting.

Results

This patient underwent a timely surgical operation. Treated by our experienced multidisciplinary team, her recovery was smooth without any other major complications.

Conclusions

Surgical intervention is an appropriate therapy for patients with intractable bleeding.

     

Non-lethal Right Liver Atrophy After TIPS Occlusion in A Cirrhotic Patient: Introducing The Hepatic Biembolization

Background

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is the standard procedure in the treatment of refractory ascites and variceal bleeding in the setting of portal hypertension. Secondary obstruction of the shunt is a classic but potentially lethal complication.

Methods

We present here the case of a cirrhotic patient that underwent a TIPS for refractory ascites, with early complete thrombosis without lethal complication.

Results

Obstruction of the TIPS led to thrombosis of both the right hepatic and the right portal veins with progressive total atrophy of the right liver and marked hypertrophy of the left liver. Despite initial poor liver function, biological hepatic markers improved slowly until complete recovery.

Conclusion

Hence, we suggest the concept of combined right portal and hepatic vein embolization as a new procedure to induce partial liver hypertrophy before major liver resection, even in cirrhotic patients.

     

Non-traumatic hemorrhage is controlled with REBOA in acute phase then mortality increases gradually by non-hemorrhagic causes: DIRECT-IABO registry in Japan

Purpose

Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) is now a feasible and less invasive resuscitation procedure. This study aimed to compare the clinical course of trauma and non-trauma patients undergoing REBOA.

Methods

Patient demographics, etiology, bleeding sites, hemodynamic response, length of critical care, and cause of death were recorded. Characteristics and outcomes were compared between non-trauma and trauma patients. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis was then conducted.

Results

Between August 2011 and December 2015, 142 (36 non-trauma; 106 trauma) cases were analyzed. Non-traumatic etiologies included gastrointestinal bleeding, obstetrics and gynecology-derived events, visceral aneurysm, abdominal aortic aneurysm, and post-abdominal surgery. The abdomen was a common bleeding site (69%), followed by the pelvis or extra-pelvic retroperitoneum. None of the non-trauma patients had multiple bleeding sites, whereas 45% of trauma patients did (P < 0.001). No non-trauma patients required resuscitative thoracotomy compared with 28% of the trauma patients (P < 0.001). Non-trauma patients presented a lower 24-h mortality than trauma patients (19 vs. 51%, P = 0.001). The non-trauma cases demonstrated a gradual but prolonged increased mortality, whereas survival in trauma cases rapidly declined (P = 0.009) with similar hospital mortality (68 vs. 64%). Non-trauma patients who survived for 24 h had 0 ventilator-free days and 0 ICU-free days vs. a median of 19 and 12, respectively, for trauma patients (P = 0.33 and 0.39, respectively). Non-hemorrhagic death was more common in non-trauma vs. trauma patients (83 vs. 33%, P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Non-traumatic hemorrhagic shock often resulted from a single bleeding site, and resulted in better 24-h survival than traumatic hemorrhage among Japanese patients who underwent REBOA. However, hospital mortality increased steadily in non-trauma patients affected by non-hemorrhagic causes after a longer period of critical care.

     

Anterior fixation of unstable pelvic ring fractures using the modified Stoppa approach: mid-term results are independent on patients’ age

Purpose

Open surgical management of unstable pelvic ring injuries has been discussed controversially compared to percutaneous techniques in terms of surgical site morbidity especially in older patients. Thus, we assessed the impact of age on the outcome following fixation of unstable pelvic ring injuries through the modified Stoppa approach.

Methods

Out of a consecutive series of 92 patients eligible for the study, 63 patients (mean age 50 years, range 19–78) were evaluated [accuracy of reduction, complications, failures, Majeed-Score, Oswestry Disability Questionnaire (ODI), Mainz Pain Staging System (MPSS)] at a mean follow-up of 3.3 years (range 1.0–7.9). Logistic multivariate regression analysis was performed to assess the outcome in relation to increasing patient age and/or Injury Severity Score (ISS).

Results

Out of 63 patients, in 36 an “anatomic” reduction was achieved. Ten postoperative complications occurred in eight patients. In five patients, failure of fixation was noted at the anterior and/or posterior pelvic ring. In 49 patients, an “excellent” or “good” Majeed-Score was obtained; the mean ODI was 14 % (range 0–76 %); 50 patients reported either no or only minor chronic pelvic pain (MPSS). Only an increasing ISS conferred an increased likelihood of the occurrence of a non-anatomical reduction, a “poor” or “fair” Majeed-Score, or an ODI >20 %.

Conclusions

Increasing age did not impact the analysed parameters. Open reduction and internal fixation of the anterior pelvic ring through a modified Stoppa approach in unstable pelvic ring injuries did not result in an unfavourable outcome with increasing age of patients.

     

Neuromodulation for Chronic Pelvic Pain

Purpose of Review

Chronic pelvic pain is a heterogeneous condition that often requires multiple physician visits and various treatments prior to achieving an acceptable management strategy. Neuromodulation has been used to treat chronic pelvic pain that has failed other therapies.

Recent Findings

Numerous modalities of neuromodulation have been used to alleviate chronic pelvic pain with promising results.

Summary

Numerous modalities of neuromodulation have demonstrated efficacy in the management of pelvic pain. Further investigation is needed to elucidate the most effective treatment modality and to identify the patients who would benefit most from this therapy.

     

Gun barrel view of the anterior pelvic ring for percutaneous anterior column or superior pubic ramus screw placement

Background

Traditionally, operative fixation of pelvic and acetabular injuries involves complex approaches and significant complications. Accelerated rehabilitation, decreased soft tissue stripping and decreased wound complications are several benefits driving a recent interest in percutaneous fixation. We describe a new fluoroscopic view to guide the placement of screws within the anterior pelvic ring.

Methods

Twenty retrograde anterior pelvic ring screws were percutaneously placed in ten cadaveric specimens. Arranging a standard C-arm in a position similar to obtaining a lateral hip image, with angles of 54° ± 2° beam to body, 75° ± 5° of reverse cantilever and 14° ± 6° of outlet, a gun barrel view of the anterior pelvic ring is identified. Fluoroscopic images were taken, and the hemipelvi were harvested to examine the dimensions of the anterior pelvic ring and inspected for any cortical or articular perforation.

Results

The minimum cranial-to-caudal distance in the anterior pelvic ring was 9 mm (range 6.5–12 mm), and the minimum anterior-to-posterior dimension was 9 mm (range 5–15 mm). All but 2 screws were completely confined within the osseous corridors. Identifiable on final fluoroscopic evaluation, one screw perforated the psoas groove and a second perforated the acetabular dome. Overall, 90 % of our screws were accurately and safely placed, upon the first attempt, within the anterior pelvic ring using the described gun barrel view.

Conclusion

Employing either open reduction, or following a closed or percutaneous reduction, the anterior pelvic ring gun barrel view can reproducibly guide safe placement of anterior pelvic ring screw fixation.

Level of evidence

IV.

     

Conservative management of pelvic abscess following sacrocolpopexy: a report of three cases and review of the literature

Introduction and hypothesis

After sacrocolpopexy, intra-abdominal pelvic abscesses are often managed with intravenous antibiotics, excision of the mesh involved, and debridement of compromised tissue.

Methods and results

Three cases of successful management of pelvic abscesses after sacrocolpopexy using long-term antibiotics and percutaneous drainage of intra-abdominal abscesses without removing the mesh are presented.

Conclusions

In selected patients who have undergone sacrocolpopexy, with careful counseling, conservative management of pelvic abscesses with percutaneous drainage and long-term antibiotic treatment without the surgical excision of the mesh may play a role.

     

Effectiveness of a continuous-use ring-shaped vaginal pessary without support for advanced pelvic organ prolapse in postmenopausal women

Introduction and hypothesis

There is considerable variation in the clinical management of pessaries. This study was aimed at exploring the efficacy of the continuous use of ring pessaries without support for the treatment of advanced pelvic organ prolapse (POP) in nonhysterectomized postmenopausal women.

Methods

We conducted this prospective study of fitted pessaries between January 2013 and June 2015 in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Macarena Hospital, Seville University, Spain. A total of 171 nonhysterectomized postmenopausal patients with symptomatic POP (stages III and IV) were counseled for two treatment options: either surgery or vaginal pessary. A total of 94 patients who agreed to use the vaginal ring pessary were included. A successful fitting was defined as the continued use of the device until the end of the study (a median 27-month follow-up). The data were analyzed with continuity correction tests, Mann–Whitney U tests, and Fisher’s exact test.

Results

Pessary use was continued by 80.8% of the patients. Most discontinuations (50.0%) occurred within the first week after device insertion. The adverse events rate was 31.6%, and all adverse events were Clavien–Dindo grade I. The complications were extrusion of the pessary (18.4%), bleeding or excoriation (10.5%), and pain or vaginal discharge (2.6%). No major complications occurred.

Conclusions

The ring pessary without support was successfully fitted in patients with advanced POP, resulting in a high success rate. There were few side effects and complications associated with continuous use of this pessary without periodic removal or replacement.

     

Pelvic fracture instability-associated L5 transverse process fracture,fact or myth? A systematic review and meta-analysis

Purpose

Stable or unstable pelvic ring fractures are sometimes associated with L5 transverse process (TP) fractures. This review aimed to determine the effect of L5 TP fractures on pelvic ring fracture stability.

Methods

We searched electronic databases (including MEDLINE, Google Scholar, and SCOPUS) and performed hand searching of English orthopedics journals and conference abstracts until May 2017. We pooled data from five studies, with a total of 278 patients.

Results

Of 28 studies, five were included (four studies involved adult patients, one pediatric population). Of the 278 pelvic fractures (average age 37.33 years; male 132 and female 92), 99 (35.6%) were stable and 179 (64.4%) were unstable (fracture B and C, according to the Tile classification). Sixty-seven (24.1%) were cases with L5 TP, and 211 (75.9%) were cases without L5 TP fracture. The typical causes of injury were road traffic accident (59.2%), fall from height (23.6%), and crush injuries and injuries by heavy objects (17.2%). The pooled odds ratio (OR) of L5 TP between the stable and unstable groups calculated with random effect analysis was 0.418 (0.083–2.108; p = 0.291); after excluding the study on a pediatric population, the pooled OR was 0.349 (0.056–2.159; p = 0.258).

Conclusions

L5 TP fractures may indicate high-energy trauma; however, no relationship between L5 TP fractures and pelvic ring fracture stability exists.

Level of evidence

Prognostic Level IV.

     

Implantataugmentation am Becken

Background

Osteoporotic fractures of the pelvis are an increasing problem in trauma surgery. Sufficient implant anchorage is reduced due to the poor bone stock; however, early mobilization is especially necessary for geriatric patients in order to prevent additional complications.

Material and methods

Implant augmentation may be one technique to increase implant anchorage and stability in osteoporotic bone. This procedure is currently used in the treatment of osteoporotic fractures of the dorsal pelvic ring. Beside the augmentation of iliosacral screws in the treatment of sacral insufficiency fractures, cement augmentation with lumbar or sacral pedicle screws is used for increased stability.

Indications and risks

Implant augmentation in pelvic surgery should be indicated crucially due to the specific risks of the procedure. Cement leakage and heat generation during cement curing (when PMMA—polymethylmetacrylate—cement is used) can compromise neurovascular structures. Potential complications like cement embolism are possible.

Conclusion

The use of special implants (cannulated and perforated screws) as well as intraoperative navigation and 3D imaging increase patient safety and help to make implant augmentation a low risk procedure.