Transiliac-Transsacral Screw Fixation is Superior to Lumbopelvic Stabilization in the Treatment of Minimally Displaced Sacral H-/U-Type Fragility Fractures

Abstract

Study Design Retrospective Cohort Study. Objectives To compare the outcomes and complications of transiliac-transsacral screw fixation (TIS) and lumbopelvic fixation (LPS), the 2 most common fixation methods for nondisplaced and minimally displaced H-/U- type sacral fragility fractures. Methods Medical records of patients treated with TIS or LPS for nondisplaced and minimally displaced H-/U-type sacral fragility fractures at 2 level A trauma centers between 2012 and 2022 were analyzed. Postoperative low back pain and mobility levels were assessed as primary outcomes before discharge and at 6 weeks and 6 months postoperatively. Surgery time, blood loss, and surgical complication rates were assessed as secondary outcomes. Statistical analyses consisted of Fisher’s exact tests for frequency distributions and Mann-Whitney-U tests and t-tests for group comparisons. Results 52 patients undergoing TIS (mean age: 78 ± 9 years) and 36 patients undergoing LPS (74 ± 10 years) with no discrepancy in demographic parameters were identified. There were no differences in low back pain levels between the 2 groups before surgery, before discharge, at 6 weeks postoperatively, and at 6 months postoperatively ( P > 0.05). There were no differences in mobility levels before surgery, before discharge, at 6 weeks postoperatively, and at 6 months postoperatively ( P > 0.05). Duration of surgery was shorter after TIS (36 ± 13 min) compared to LPS (113 ± 31 min) ( P < 0.0001). Intraoperative blood loss was lower for TIS (median <20 mL) compared to LPS (median 125 mL) ( P < 0.0001). Postoperative radiculopathy was less frequent after TIS (n = 1) compared to LPS (n = 3) ( P > 0.05). Median length of stay was shorter after TIS (11 days) compared to LPS (14 days) ( P < 0.05). Rates of reoperations directly related to the index surgery were lower after TIS (n = 2) compared to LPS (n = 10) ( P < 0.01). Implant failures were observed only after LPS (n = 1). Conclusion Patients with nondisplaced and minimally displaced H-/U- type sacral fragility fractures may preferably be treated using TIS, as it is equivalent to LPS in terms of low back pain reduction and restoration of mobility, but allows for shorter operative time, less blood loss and lower reoperation rates. Prospective randomized studies should be conducted to substantiate our findings and develop distinct treatment recommendations.