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

Abstract

Objective: 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).

Methods: 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.

Results: 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).

Conclusion: 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.