An aiming device for pin fixation at the iliac crest for external fixation in unstable pelvic fracture

To improve the accuracy of pinning at the iliac crest during external fixation of the pelvic fracture, an aiming device has been designed. The device consists of 3 parts: a sleeve which accommodates a 5.0 Shanz pin, a handle and guide points. The guide points were designed to grasp the iliac crest to allow proper pin fixation. The device has undergone trials to fix Shanz pins on the iliac crests of 10 cadavers by 10 recently graduated doctors. All pins were fixed in proper position and passed into the bone between the two tables of the iliac crest without penetrating the tables. The device has so far been used in 50 patients who had unstable pelvic fractures. All pins were in the proper positions and there had been no loosening at the time the pins were removed. The use of this aiming device for pinning the iliac crest for external fixation of pelvic fracture has given encouraging results.