Lumbopelvic fixation in the treatment of spinopelvic dissociation: union, complications, and neurologic outcomes of a multicenter case series

Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol. 2024 Jul;34(5):2391-2396. doi: 10.1007/s00590-024-03928-4. Epub 2024 Apr 11.

Abstract

Purpose: To review outcomes of spinopelvic dissociation treated with open lumbopelvic fixation.

Methods: We reviewed all cases of spinopelvic dissociation treated at three Level-I trauma centers with open lumbopelvic fixation, including those with adjunctive percutaneous fixation. We collected demographic data, associated injuries, pre- and postoperative neurologic status, pre- and postoperative kyphosis, and Roy-Camille classification. Outcomes included presence of union, reoperation rates, and complications involving hardware or wound.

Results: From an initial cohort of 260 patients with spinopelvic dissociation, forty patients fulfilled inclusion criteria with a median follow-up of 351 days. Ten patients (25%) had a combination of percutaneous iliosacral and open lumbopelvic repair. Average pre- and postoperative kyphosis was 30 degrees and 26 degrees, respectively. Twenty patients (50%) had neurologic deficit preoperatively, and eight (20%) were unknown or unable to be assessed. All patients presenting with bowel or bladder dysfunction (n = 12) underwent laminectomy at time of surgery, with 3 patients (25%) having continued dysfunction at final follow-up. Surgical site infection occurred in four cases (10%) and wound complications in two (5%). All cases (100%) went on to union and five patients (13%) required hardware removal.

Conclusion: Open lumbopelvic fixation resulted in a high union rate in the treatment of spinopelvic dissociation. Approximately 1 in 6 patients had a wound complication, the majority of which were surgical site infections. Bowel and bladder dysfunction at presentation were common with the majority of cases resolving by final follow-up when spinopelvic dissociation had been treated with decompression and stable fixation.

Keywords: Lumbopelvic fixation; Roy-Camille; SPD; Spinopelvic dissociation.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Female
  • Fracture Fixation, Internal* / adverse effects
  • Fracture Fixation, Internal* / methods
  • Humans
  • Kyphosis / etiology
  • Kyphosis / surgery
  • Laminectomy / adverse effects
  • Laminectomy / methods
  • Lumbar Vertebrae* / surgery
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pelvic Bones / injuries
  • Pelvic Bones / surgery
  • Postoperative Complications / etiology
  • Reoperation / statistics & numerical data
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Spinal Fractures / surgery
  • Surgical Wound Infection / etiology
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Young Adult