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Biomechanical comparison of two stabilization techniques for unstable sacral fractures

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Journal of Orthopaedic Science

Abstract

Aim

The purpose of the study was to assess the stability provided by an ilio-iliac dorsal plate fixation technique using an AO narrow DCP on the pelvic brim in vertically and rotationally unstable type-C pelvic ring injuries.

Materials and methods

We examined 12 fresh cadaver pelvises in a single limb stance load. A type-C pelvic ring injury (a type I lateral sacral fracture in the classification of Denis with symphysis pubis rupture) was performed on the cadaver specimen and fixed with a four-hole narrow dynamic compression plate to stabilize the symphysis pubis rupture; the sacrum fracture was stabilized either anteriorly with two 3-hole reconstruction plates (“anterior plate osteosynthesis”) or with a posterior fixation using a 12-hole narrow DCP. A cyclic load of between 100 and 250 N was applied to the fifth lumbar vertebra of the specimen. An extensometer was attached to both sides of the sacrum fracture to detect movements at the fracture site.

Results

We were able to achieve usable measurements in nine specimens. Three measurements were performed on each specimen, and the movements recorded at the fracture gap in trans-sacral plate fixation were higher than or similar to those observed for anterior plate synthesis in 23 out of 27 cases.

Conclusion

Dorsal ilio-iliac bridge plate fixation provides somewhat reduced stability compared to anterior plate fixation, but the difference is not significant.

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Acknowledgments

The experiments were completed with the support of the Laboratory of Biomechanics, University of Debrecen. The statistical analysis was done by Jolán Józan. The graphical figures were drawn by Dr. Balázs Deák.

Conflict of interest

I, Dr. Bodzay Tamás, as author of the paper, disclose any financial or personal relationship with other people or organistions as a third party that could inappropriately influence (bias) our work, including employment, consultancies, stock ownership, honoraria, paid expert testimony, patent applications/registrations and grants or any other funding. All co-authors agree with this statement.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Trauma Center Péterfy Hospital, Fiumei ut 17, 1081, Budapest, Hungary

    Tamás Bodzay, János Szita & Sándor Frenyó

  2. Laboratory of Biomechanics, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary

    Sándor Manó & Zoltán Csernátony

  3. Department of Orthopaedics, University of Debrecen, Medical and Health Science Center, Nagyerdei ut 98, 4012, Debrecen, Hungary

    Sándor Manó, László Kiss, Zoltán Jónás & Zoltán Csernátony

Authors
  1. Tamás Bodzay
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  2. János Szita
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  3. Sándor Manó
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  4. László Kiss
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  5. Zoltán Jónás
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  6. Sándor Frenyó
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  7. Zoltán Csernátony
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Tamás Bodzay.

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Bodzay, T., Szita, J., Manó, S. et al. Biomechanical comparison of two stabilization techniques for unstable sacral fractures. J Orthop Sci 17, 574–579 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00776-012-0246-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00776-012-0246-4

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