Comparative outcome of different treatment options for fragility fractures of the sacrum.

BACKGROUND: Fragility fractures of the sacrum (FFS) have been detected more and more frequently in recent times, and the incidence will continue to increase due to increasing life expectancy. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical outcome of conservative, interventional and surgical treatment of FFS. METHODS: Retrospectively, 292 patients (276 women, 16 men) with confirmed FFS were followed up over a period of 2 years. The age of the women was Ø 81.2 (58 - 99) and that of the men Ø 78.1 (76 - 85) years. The pain was quantified using a VAS. Fractures were classified in accordance with the Rommens and Hofmann and with the Denis classification using conventional X-rays, CT and MRI. A QCT of the lumbar spine was performed to quantify bone mineral density. Concomitant diseases of every patient were recorded. An interdisciplinary case conference determined the individual treatment concept considering the age, type of fracture, pain level and comorbidities with classification into conservative, interventional (any type of sacroplasty) or surgical treatment. Over the course pain and independence were measured, complications and patient satisfaction were documented. A vitamin D determination was done, and existing comorbidities were included. RESULTS: Patients with a pain level of ≤5 benefited from the conservative therapy measures, with pain levels > 5 significantly delaying the development of mobility. After sacroplasty, the pain reduced significantly, which caused a rapid improvement in mobility without any significant difference being found between vertebro- (VSP), balloon (BSP), radiofrequency (RFS) and cement sacroplasty (CSP). In terms of pain reduction and mobilization, the surgical treated patients benefited from osteosynthesis, although more complex fracture types with lumbopelvic stabilization took longer. Overall, there were no deaths during the hospital stay. Mortality after 12 months was 21.7% for the conservative, 8.4% for the interventional and 13.6% for the surgical therapy group; the differences are significant. For patients in the conservative therapy group who were difficult to mobilize due to pain, the mortality increased to 24.3%. Over 24 months, patients achieved the best independence after sacroplasty. At 12 and 24 months, subjective satisfaction with the therapies was best after sacroplasty, followed by osteosynthesis and conservative measures. All patients had a pronounced vitamin D deficiency and manifest osteoporosis. Cardiovascular pathologies were the main concomitant diseases. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with FFS with a low level of pain benefit from conservative therapy measures, whereby complications and mortality increase significantly in the case of persistent immobilizing pain. Patients with an unacceptable level of pain resulting from non-dislocated fractures benefit significantly from sacroplasty. Patients with unstable and displaced fractures (Rommens and Hofmann type III and IV) should be operated on promptly. Different techniques are available for sacroplasty and osteosynthesis, which lead to an improvement of independence and a reduction in mortality.

Clinical Improvement and Cost-effectiveness of CT-guided Radiofrequency Sacroplasty (RFS) and Cement Sacroplasty (CSP) - a Prospective Randomised Comparison of Methods. / Klinische Verbesserung und Wirtschaftlichkeit nach CT-gesteuerter Radiofrequenzsakroplastie und Zementsakroplastie ­ ein prospektiver randomisierter Methodenvergleich.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study was a comparative analysis of cement augmentation by means of RFS and CSP with regard to outcome and cost-effectiveness. PATIENTS AND METHODS: CT-guided cement augmentation was performed on 100 patients with a total of 168 non-dislocated insufficiency fractures, 50 patients being treated with RFS and 50 patients with CSP. Leakages were detected by CT. Pain intensity was determined on a VAS before and after the intervention. The patients' self-sufficiency was assessed using the Barthel index. Patients were asked about any complications and their level of satisfaction. Costs incurred for carrying out the procedure were compared with the respective reimbursements received. RESULTS: Both procedures were technically fully feasible. No leakages were found in the RFS group, as opposed to 8.1% asymptomatic leakages in the CSP group. The mean value for pain before intervention was 8.8 in the RFS group and 8.7 in the CSP group. On the second postoperative day, there was a significant pain reduction with a value of 2.4 for both groups, which remained more or less constant over the follow-up period. The Barthel index increased significantly from an average of 30 before the intervention to 80 on the fourth postoperative day and 70 after 24 months. No differences were found between the two procedures with regard to pain, improvement in functional status and satisfaction. Taking into account the state-wide base rate used for calculating reimbursement, 3,834.75 € remained for RFS and 5,084.32 € for CSP. CONCLUSION: RFS and CSP are minimally invasive procedures that achieve equally good and sustained pain reduction, leading to markedly improved self-sufficiency of the patients. With regard to possible cement leakages, RFS is the safer method. A profit can be generated with both techniques.

CT-guided cement sacroplasty (CSP) as pain therapy in non-dislocated insufficiency fractures.

INTRODUCTION: In elderly patients with reduced bone quality, insufficiency fractures of the sacrum are relatively common and are typically associated with severe disabling pain. The objective of the present study was to examine the feasibility of cement augmentation by CSP, to determine post-interventional leakages and other complications, and to present the outcome of pain over the course of 18 months. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 23 patients (20 women and 3 men) with an average age of 81.3 (71-92) years, a total of 41 sacral fractures were detected by MRI, 5 of them unilateral and 18 bilateral. Conservative treatment initially performed over a period of 3 weeks did not bring any satisfactory reduction in the severe disabling pain. The indication for intervention was established after an interdisciplinary case conference. The intervention was performed under intubation anaesthesia. Single-shot antibiotic prophylaxis was given routinely immediately prior to the intervention. Under sterile conditions, a Jamshidi needle was then advanced into the respective fracture zone in the sacrum from dorsal to ventral (short axis) or from lateral to medial transiliac (transiliac axis). After removing the inner needle, a flexible osteotome was inserted through the positioned hollow needle and used to extend the spongious space in the fracture zone and thus prepare a cavity for the cement filling. High-viscosity PMMA cement was then inserted discontinuously with the aid of a pressure gauge under low-dose CT control. Cement leakages were determined in the CT image on the day after the intervention, all cement outside of the cortical boundary being rated as a leakage. Pain was documented on a visual analogue scale (VAS) on the day before the intervention, on the second day, and 6, 12, and 18 months after the intervention. Additionally occurring complications were recorded, and the patients were asked to rate their satisfaction after 6 and 18 months. RESULTS: CSP was technically feasible in all patients. In the control CT scan, sufficient cement distribution and interlocking with vital bone were found along the course of the fracture in the sacrum. An average of 6.0 ± 0.83 ml of cement was inserted per fracture. Leakage was found in 5 of 41 (12.2%) of the fractures treated, although none were symptomatic. The mean pain score on the VAS was 8.8 ± 0.59 before the intervention, a significant pain reduction (p < 0.0005) was seen on the second post-operative day, with an average value of 2.1 ± 0.36, and this was stable at 2.2 ± 0.28 after 6, 2.3 ± 0.31 after 12, and 2.2 ± 0.41 after 18 months. Now that they no longer experienced disabling pain, all of the patients were fully remobilised and discharged back home. A high level of patient satisfaction was found after 6 and 18 months. CONCLUSION: As a minimally invasive procedure, CSP is an effective treatment method for rapid, significant, and sustained pain reduction.

A new mechatronic assistance system for the neurosurgical operating theatre: implementation, assessment of accuracy and application concepts.

OBJECTIVE: To introduce a new robotic system to the field of neurosurgery and report on a preliminary assessment of accuracy as well as on envisioned application concepts. Based on experience with another system (Evolution 1, URS Inc., Schwerin, Germany), technical advancements are discussed. MATERIAL/METHODS: The basic module is an industrial 6 degrees of freedom robotic arm with a modified control element. The system combines frameless stereotaxy, robotics, and endoscopy. The robotic reproducibility error and the overall error were evaluated. For accuracy testing CT markers were placed on a cadaveric head and pinpointed with the robot's tool tip, both fully automated and telemanipulatory. Applicability in a clinical setting, user friendliness, safety and flexibility were assessed. RESULTS: The new system is suitable for use in the neurosurgical operating theatre. Hard- and software are user-friendly and flexible. The mean reproducibility error was 0.052-0.062 mm, the mean overall error was 0.816 mm. The system is less cumbersome and much easier to use than the Evolution 1. CONCLUSIONS: With its user-friendly interface and reliable safety features, its high application accuracy and flexibility, the new system is a versatile robotic platform for various neurosurgical applications. Adaptations for different applications are currently being realized.