The pubic midline exposure for symphyseal open reduction and plate fixation

BACKGROUND: Open reduction and plate fixation of the disrupted symphysis pubis is commonly performed through a horizontal Pfannenstiel incision. Certain clinical situations that complicate the soft tissue conditions of the lower abdomen may make the Pfannenstiel incision a less appealing option. We report on the use of a vertical pubic area midline skin incision in a series of patients undergoing open reduction and plate fixation of their traumatically disrupted symphysis pubis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Institutional Review Board approval was obtained for a retrospective chart review of the charts of 25 patients treated between September 2011 and October 2012. Their charts were reviewed for patient age, gender, body mass index (BMI), pelvic injury type (as classified by Young and Burgess), mechanism of injury and associated traumatic injuries. The depth of the approach was estimated using the pelvic computed tomography (CT) scan. Details from the operative procedure were recorded, as was the length of follow-up and any perioperative complications. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients were eligible for inclusion during the defined study time period between September 2011 and October 2012. The patients’ average age was 55.8 years (range 25–91). All patients were males. The average BMI was 29.3 (range 18.8–43.8). The depth measured on the axial pelvic CT scan from skin to symphysis was 57.6 mm (range 35.2–90.2 mm). Five of 25 patients had an isolated pelvic ring injury without other associated injuries. The injury pattern was APC2 in 18, APC3 in 3, LC2 in 2, LC3 in 1 and VS in 1 patient(s) [anterior posterior compression (APC), lateral compression (LC), vertical shear (VS)]. Urologic procedures were performed in the same surgical setting in four patients. The average blood loss was 244 ml (range 150–400 ml). The average follow-up was 2.5 months (range 1–12 months). Perioperative issues were noted in two patients. One patient died within a month of surgery as a result of his associated traumatic injuries. One patient developed a deep infection. CONCLUSION: The pubic midline skin exposure is a feasible alternative to the Pfannenstiel incision for open reduction and plate fixation of the pubic symphysis. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV, Retrospective case series