Open technique for supra-acetabular pin placement in pelvic external fixation: a cadaveric study

BACKGROUND: Standard supra-acetabular pin placement still needs fluoroscopic guidance, which is technically demanding for an untrained surgeon due to the unfamiliar fluoroscopic view and the risk of damaging some structures. The risks associated with the open technique without fluoroscopy have not yet been investigated, despite the palpable entry point and large bony corridor for rapid insertion in the limited time available for the management of unstable pelvic fracture patients. The aim of this study was to compare the open technique without fluoroscopy to the fluoroscopically assisted percutaneous technique for the positioning of supra-acetabular screws in cadavers without pelvic instability. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The open technique for half-pin placement was compared to standard fluoroscopic guidance in 16 hemipelves (8 cadavers). The open technique was first performed on one side in each cadaver after simple randomization, followed by standard fluoroscopic guidance on the other side. In the open technique group, a Schanz pin 5 mm in diameter and 200 mm in length was inserted in the area just above the anteroinferior iliac spine (AIIS) and aimed with a medial inclination of 20° and a cephalad inclination of 10–20° after a 2 cm pilot drill hole had been established. Standard fluoroscopically guided pin placement was performed on the other side. Fluoroscopic assessment was conducted after final pin placement on both sides. The lateral femoral cutaneous nerve of the thigh (LFCN) and the hip capsule were identified via the Smith–Peterson approach. After complete dissection of soft tissue, it was clearly apparent that pin penetration was conducted outside the bony corridor. RESULTS: The LFCN was found to be in a risk zone near the pin (mean distance, 15 mm; range, 0–30 mm). One LFCN may have been injured in the fluoroscopic guidance group. The mean medial inclination of the pin was 19.8° (range, 5–40°) and the mean cephalad inclination was 11.5° (range 0–20°) in the open technique group. The mean medial inclination of the pin was 30.4° (range, 20–45°) and the mean cephalad inclination was 19.3° (range, 2–35°) in the fluoroscopic guidance group. The mean distance of the pin entry point from the AIIS was 11.1 mm (range, 0–35 mm) in the open technique group. The mean distance of the entry point of the pin from the AIIS was 15.1 mm (range, 0–25 mm) in the fluoroscopic guidance group. The mean hip joint capsule distance was 12 mm (range, 8–25 mm). No joint penetration was observed in the open technique group, compared to one joint penetration in the fluoroscopic guidance group. No sciatic notch penetration was found in either group, but pin penetration outside the external cortex of the ilium was found only in the open technique group, in 4 hemipelves. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that the freehand technique performed by experienced trauma surgeons may be as acceptable as controlled pin insertion under image intensification for selecting the proper entry point and stabilizing the anterior pelvic ring.