Screw fixation of superior pubic ramus fractures using a modified technique with a pre-bent guidewire in curved transpubic corridors – A non-inferiority pilot study

Introduction

Transpubic screw fixation is a valuable option for stabilization of superior pubic ramus fractures. However, insertion of a transpubic screw can be challenging or sometimes even impossible due to a narrow or curved transpubic screw corridor, which is present in 38 % of cases. To overcome this problem, a modified technique for insertion of a transpubic screw by advancing a pre-bent guidewire in an ESIN-like fashion is described.

Materials and Methods

A retrospective, non-inferiority pilot study with patients, who received a transpubic screw, was performed to investigate potential procedure-associated complications as well as short-term radiological and clinical outcomes of the modified technique in comparison to the classical technique for insertion.

Results

From 01/2021 to 04/2024, 24 transpubic screws were inserted at two major trauma centers, of which nine screws were inserted using the modified technique. Ten patients with a total of eleven transpubic screws (modified technique: 5; classical technique: 6) were available for this pilot study. One patient from the modified technique subgroup experienced a screw migration without affecting fracture healing and without necessitating hardware removal. The complication rate of the modified technique was not significantly inferior to the classical technique (p = 0.50). Residual displacement of the pubic ramus fracture was not significantly inferior using the modified technique compared to the classical technique (modified: 5.0 ± 2.2 mm; classical 4.4 ± 3.3 mm; p = 0.38). The clinical outcome was not significantly inferior using the modified technique compared to the classical technique regarding VAS pain (modified: 2.4 ± 4.3; classical 2.6 ± 2.5; p = 0.47), VAS satisfaction (modified: 8.8 ± 1.8; classical 9.0 ± 1.0; p = 0.42) and Majeed score (modified: 82.0 ± 12.6; classical 90.0 ± 12.5; p = 0.17).

Conclusion

The modified technique for insertion of a transpubic screw using a pre-bent guidewire is feasible in narrow and particularly curved transpubic corridors. It was not inferior compared to the classical technique regarding complications as well as short-term radiological and clinical outcomes.