Effect of pelvic fixation on ambulation in children with neuromuscular scoliosis

BACKGROUND The effect of posterior spinal fusion(PSF)incorporating the pelvis on an ambulatory patient’s ability to mobilize after the fusion is not well understood.AIM To see whether a posterior spinal fusion with pelvic fixation using iliac or sacral alar iliac screws in ambulatory neuromuscular scoliosis(NMS)patients influences postoperative ambulatory ability.METHODS A retrospective review of all patients with NMS that underwent PSF with fixation incorporating the pelvis between January 1,2012 and February 29,2019.A total of 118 patients were eligible,including 11 ambulatory patients.The primary outcome was the maintenance of ambulatory status postoperatively.Secondary outcomes included postoperative curve magnitude,pelvic obliquity,and complications,comprising infections,instrumentation failure,and any unplanned returns to the operative room.RESULTS The ambulatory function was maintained in all 11 ambulatory NMS patients.One patient had an improvement in functional status with equipment-free ambulation postoperatively.An average postoperative follow-up was 19 mo.The overall complication rate was 19.4%(n=23)with no significant differences between the groups in infection(P=0.365),hardware failure(P=0.505),and reoperation rate(P=1.0).Ambulatory status did not affect complication rate(P=0.967).CONCLUSION Spinal fusion to the pelvis in ambulatory patients with NMS provides effective deformity correction without the reduction in ambulatory capabilities.

Pelvic fractures in blunt trauma patients:A comparative study

BACKGROUND Pelvic fractures(PF)with concomitant injuries are on the rise due to an increase of high-energy trauma.Increase of the elderly population with age related comorbidities further complicates the management.Abdominal organ injuries are kindred with PF due to the proximity to pelvic bones.Presence of contrast blush(CB)on computed tomography in patients with PF is considered a sign of active bleeding,however,its clinical significance and association with outcomes is debatable.AIM To analyze polytrauma patients with PF with a focus on the geriatric population,co-injuries and the value of contrast blush.METHODS This retrospective cohort study included 558 patients with PF admitted to level 1 trauma center(01/2017-01/2023).Analyzed variables included:Age,sex,mechanism of injury(MOI),injury severity score(ISS),Glasgow coma scale(GCS),abbreviated injury scale(AIS),co-injuries,transfusion requirements,pelvic angiography,embolization,laparotomy,orthopedic pelvic surgery,intensive care unit and hospital lengths of stay,discharge disposition and mortality.The study compared geriatric and non-geriatric patients,patients with and without CB and abdominal co-injuries.Propensity score matching was implemented in comparison groups.RESULTS PF comprised 4%of all trauma admissions.89 patients had CB.286(52%)patients had concomitant injuries including 93(17%)patients with abdominal co-injuries.Geriatric patients compared to non-geriatric had more falls as MOI,lower ISS and AIS pelvis,higher GCS,less abdominal co-injuries,similar CB and angio-embolization rates,less orthopedic pelvic surgeries,shorter lengths of stay and higher mortality.After propensity matching,orthopedic pelvic surgery rates remained lower(8%vs 19%,P<0.001),hospital length of stay shorter,and mortality higher(13%vs 4%,P<0.001)in geriatric patients.Out of 89 patients with CB,45(51%)were embolized.After propensity matching,patients with CB compared to without CB had more pelvic angiography(71%vs 12%,P<0.001),higher embolization rates(64%vs 22%,P=0.02)and comparable mortality.CONCLUSION Half of the patients with PF had concomitant co-injuries,including abdominal co-injuries in 17%.Similarly injured geriatric patients had higher mortality.Half of the patients with CB required an embolization.

External fixator with lumbopelvic distraction spondylodesis for vertically unstable pelvic fracture

Objective To evaluate the clinical outcomes of external fixator with lumbopelvic distraction spondylodesis in treatment of vertically unstable pelvic fractures.Methods From January 2008 to March 2009,9 patients(4 males and 5 females)