Radiographic study of iliac screw passages

BACKGROUND: The optimal iliac screw path was determined to provide references for lumbosacral-pelvic reconstruction. METHODS: Radiographic data of 100 patients with normal pelvis were selected for this study. Four paths were designed. Paths A, B, and C were from the starting point of the crossing point of the chiotic line and posterior iliac crest (CLIC, located at 24.0 mm above the posterior superior iliac spine) to the upper edge of the acetabulum, anterior inferior iliac spine, and acetabulum center, respectively. Path D was from the starting point of the posterior superior iliac spine to the anterior inferior iliac spine. The lengths of the different paths of screw passage and bone plate thicknesses of two narrow places were measured and analyzed. RESULTS: Paths A, B, and D were approximately equal in length, but the thickness of the iliac plate in path A was significantly thicker than those in paths B and D. No significant difference was found between the iliac thickness of paths A and C, but the passage length of path A was significantly longer than that of path C. CONCLUSION: Path A had the longest passage length and thickest iliac plate and could accommodate the relatively longest and thickest iliac screw. Thus, path A was the optimal iliac screw passage.