Effect of pin location on stability of pelvic external fixation

Pelvic external fixators allow two locations of pin purchase: anterosuperior (into the iliac crest) and anteroinferior (into the supraacetabular dense bone, between the anterior superior and anterior inferior iliac spine). The purpose of this study was to compare the stability of these two methods of fixation on Tile Type B1 (open book) and C (unstable) pelvic injuries. Five unembalmed cadaveric pelves (mean age, 68 years; four males and one female) were loaded vertically in a servohydraulic testing machine in a standing posture. The AO tubular system and Orthofix were used. On each pelvis, a Type B1 injury was simulated. Each external fixator was applied in each location in random order. Cyclic loads were applied through the sacral body to a maximum of approximately 200 N while force and displacement of the pelvic ring were recorded digitally. Sacroiliac joint motion was quantified tridimensionally with displacement transducers, mounted on the sacrum and contacting a target fixed to the posterior superior iliac spine. A Type C injury was created and augmented with two iliosacral lag screws, and the tests were repeated. For the Type B1 injuries with anteroinferior pin purchase, the mean stiffness was 201.2 N/mm for the AO frame and 203.2 N/mm for the Orthofix. For the anterosuperior frames the mean stiffness was 143.9 N/mm for the AO frame and 163.3 N/mm for the Orthofix. For Type B1 and Type C injuries, the anteroinferior location of pin purchase resulted in significantly reduced sacroiliac joint separation. There were no significant differences between the frame types. Dissection of the preinserted anatomic specimen revealed no evidence of injury to the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve after blunt dissection and drilling with protective drill sleeves. It is concluded that the anteroinferior location of external fixation pins is a safe technique with the potential for increased stability of fixation.