INTERNAL-FIXATION FOR THE TRANSFORAMINAL SACRAL FRACTURE

The mechanical stability of alternate forms of internal fixation of th e transforaminal sacral fracture were compared, A transforaminal sacra l fracture was made in each of 6 fresh-frozen cadaveric pelvic specime ns, Implants compared for fixation included: a single and 2 fully thre aded iliosacral screws inserted through the posterior ilium and anchor ed into the first sacral vertebral body both with and without the addi tion of a posterior tension band plate; and 2 transiliac bars inserted through the posterior tubercles, The femora of each specimen were pot ted and fixed to the table of a materials tester, The pelvis was restr ained only from flexing and extending, and a compressive load was appl ied through the lumbar spine, representing a standing loading conditio n, Flexion of the sacrum and displacement at the fracture site were me asured during loading, Although creation of the injury increased motio n considerably, there was no measurable increase in stability provided by any of the implants or combination of implants in this model when an anatomic reduction was obtained.