Width of pubic symphysis relating to age and sex in Koreans

INTRODUCTION: Diastasis of the pubic symphysis has been reported to occur in 13–16% of pelvic ring injuries. In Asians, there are only a few data showing the width of the pubic symphysis. The aim of this study is to see the width of pubic symphysis relating to age and sex in Koreans. METHODS: Width of pubic symphysis was measured in pelvis AP and pelvic CT of 784 peoples (392 males, 392 females). RESULTS: In supine AP, the width at the upper end was 4.8±2.5 mm (males; 3.46±1.38 mm, females; 4.04±2.76 mm). The width at the midpoint was 4.7±2.0 mm (males; 4.64±1.58 mm, females; 4.75±2.29 mm). The width at the lower end was 4.8±2.5 mm (males; 4.58±2.19 mm, females; 5.08±2.76 mm). In abducted AP, the width at the upper end was 3.8±2.9 mm (males; 3.65±1.50 mm, females; 3.97±3.85 mm). The width at the midpoint was 4.6±2.3 mm (males; 4.45±2.16 mm, females; 5.18±3.79 mm). The width at the lower end was 4.8±3.1 mm (males; 4.55±1.30 mm, females; 4.74±3.06 mm). In axial CT, the width at the anterior border was 15.0±6.2 mm (males; 14.50±6.62 mm, females; 16.44±6.22 mm). The width at the narrowest point was 3.1±1.5 mm (males; 3.19±1.53 mm, females; 3.09±1.50 mm). The width at the widest point was 4.1±1.6 mm (males; 4.27±1.60 mm, females; 4.00±1.50 mm). The width at the posterior border was 2.3±1.3 mm (males: 2.20±1.30 mm, females; 2.44±1.40 mm). Axial thickness was 27.1±5.3 mm (males; 29.48±4.60 mm, females; 24.70±4.82 mm). In coronal CT, the width at the upper end was 3.1±4.1 mm (males; 2.28±1.26 mm, females; 3.83±5.48 mm). The width at beginning of widening was 3.6±4.5 mm (males; 2.68±1.63 mm, females; 4.54±6.08 mm). The width at the lower end was 20.5±8.2 mm (males; 17.49±4.53 mm, females; 23.60±9.86 mm). Coronal thickness was 20.4±7.1 mm (males; 24.50±5.98 mm, females; 16.23±5.61 mm). In supine film, width significantly increased with age at the upper end (p=0.022) and midpoint (p< 0.001); however, it decreased at the lower end (p< 0.001). In abduction film, width at midpoint increased with age (p=0.003). CONCLUSION: Pelvic malunion should be defined according to the population and age. These results could be a reference in assessing the quality of reduction after internal fixation of the patients with traumatic diastasis of the pubic symphysis. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13018-021-02561-9.