[Experience with surgical treatment of ruptures of the symphysis pubis]

Ten patients with symphyseal rupture and dehiscence of more than 10 mm who underwent different surgical procedures were reexamined between 8 and 59 months after surgery. In case of treatment within 3 weeks after the accident (n = 7) banding with completely absorbable Polydioxanon (PDS) cord (n = 4), PDS cord and crossing K-wires (n = 1), PDS-banding and plate-fixation for concomitant pubic fractures (n = 1), and wire banding (n = 1) were performed. In case of delayed operation (9 till 12 weeks after the injury n = 3) autologous bone grafts from the iliac crest were placed into the symphyseal split after removal of fibrous tissue, and double plate fixation (n = 2) respectively plate fixation and wirebanding (n = 1) were performed. There were no intraoperative and only 2 minor postoperative complications. The follow up revealed good and satisfactory results in 9 patients, and failure in one case. These results are better than to be expected from conservative management of this kind of injury. Banding with cord is a noteworthy alternative to wire banding and plate fixation.