Growing rod technique for the treatment of the traumatic spinopelvic dissociation: a technical trick.

Abstract

Traumatic spinopelvic dissociation, sometimes referred to as U-shaped sacral fracture, is a very rare high-energy trauma. The surgical management of spinopelvic dissociation includes decompression, reduction, and fixation. We report a novel surgical technique for the treatment of spinopelvic dissociation that uses growing rods and a pedicle screw system, which is often used to treat patients with early onset scoliosis. This case report used a technical report of spinopelvic dissociation surgery using spinopelvic fixation and the growing rod technique. One case was used as the patient sample. Radiographic outcomes, including plain X-ray, three-dimensional computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging scan were the outcome measures. The radiographic outcomes were compared preoperatively, postoperatively, and at the 1-year follow-up with bony union. Growing techniques improved traumatic sacral angulation, displacement, and canal encroachment, and provided sufficient structural support. The growing rod technique for spinopelvic dissociation under intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring could be a useful alternative surgical option, especially in patients without neurologic deficit.