Minimally invasive surgery and conservative treatment achieve similar clinical outcomes in patients with type II fragility fractures of the pelvis.

Abstract

To compare clinical efficacy and quality of life (QoL) outcomes between minimally invasive surgery and conservative treatment for type II fragility fractures of the pelvis (FFP II). A total of 150 patients with FFP II, treated at our hospital from January 2019 to December 2022, were included in this study. The mean follow-up period was 22 ± 5 months. Patients were divided into two groups: 68 were assigned to the minimally invasive surgery group and 82 to the conservative treatment group. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the Majeed questionnaire and the self-reported Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment. Health-related quality of life was evaluated with the Short-Form 36 Health Survey and World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief Version questionnaires. There were no significant differences in basic information (gender/cause of injury/comorbidities/Rommens classification/osteoporosis status) or clinical outcomes between the two groups on the basis of the Majeed and Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment questionnaire scores at the final follow-up. However, the minimally invasive surgery group showed a significant improvement in QoL compared with the conservative treatment group (including on the Short-Form 36 Health Survey and World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief Version; P < 0.01). Minimally invasive surgery and conservative treatment achieve similar clinical outcomes in patients with FFP II fractures. However, minimally invasive surgery significantly enhances the health-related QoL of these patients.