Failure of internal fixation of the anterior ring for unstable pelvic fractures, the experience of a single institute

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to share our experience of anterior ring fixation failure for unstable pelvic fractures and propose corresponding treatment strategies. MATERIALS: From January 2009 to December 2018, 93 charts of patients with pelvic fractures were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with failure of the anterior ring internal fixation within 3 months after initial surgery were analyzed. Quality of reduction was evaluated using the Majeed scoring system. Patients aging ≥ 18 years, with unstable pelvic fractures, Tile classification type B and type C pelvic fractures, combined injury of other organs that did not affect the operation and without important neurovascular damage were included. The exclusion criteria included: (1) pathological fracture, or combined with pelvic bone tumor or severe osteoporosis; (2) femoral fracture and thoracolumbar fracture; (3) open pelvic fracture; (4) Morel-Lavallée injury; (5) complicated acetabular fracture. The quality of the reduction of the anterior pelvic ring injury was evaluated on the x-ray film using the Majeed scoring system. RESULTS: According to the Tile classification of fracture, there were 23 cases of type B1, 17 cases of type B2, 11 cases of type B3, 28 cases of type C1, 6 cases of type C2, and 8 cases of type C3. The duration from injury to pelvic internal fixation ranged from 5 to 28 days. Seven out of 93 patients experienced failure of internal fixation of the anterior pelvic ring within 3 months, including 2 patients fixed with an external fixator and 5 patients fixed with a plate. Five patients undergoing revision surgery were followed up for 6–36 months with an average of 18 months. According to Majeed’s score at the last follow-up in the 5 patients undergoing revision surgery, there were 2 cases of excellent, 2 cases of good, 1 case of fair. The excellent and good rate reached 80%. CONCLUSION: The treatment of complicated unstable pelvic fractures requires performing internal fixation surgery within 2 weeks. It is necessary to make a preoperative plan and stabilize the posterior ring first, avoiding a single steel plate crossing the pubic symphysis.