PIN PLACEMENT IN PELVIC EXTERNAL FIXATION

Early external fixation of major pelvic fractures reduces haemorrhage a mortality. The best site and method for pin placement remains unreso lved. The superior iliac crest is biomechanically disadvantageous and hinders access to the abdomen. Low pin placement between the anterior iliac spines has been proposed as a better solution. A case-controlled study was performed on cadavers using a jig designed to place externa l fixator pins accurately in the pelvis, the study tested the safety o f pin placement and the mechanical strength of the two placement sites . The results showed that pins could be placed safely using this metho d and that low placement in cadaveric bone is as strong as that of the conventional placement.