[Influence of sacral fracture on the long-term outcome of pelvic ring injuries].

Initial treatment of pelvic ring fractures with involvement of the iliosacral complex is directed at bleeding control and fixation of the pelvic ring. However, long-term outcome is determined by persisting neurological deficits, malunion of the posterior pelvic ring with low back pain, and urological lesions. Between 1991 and 2000, 173 patients with sacral fractures were treated at our institution. Sacral fractures as part of type B2 ("lateral compression") or type C ("vertical shear") pelvic ring fractures were treated conservatively, if dislocation was less than 1 cm. Fractures with a dislocation of more than 1 cm were treated operatively (n=33, 19%). A total of 112 patients were examined after an average of 4.9 years. Of the 39 patients with primary neurological deficits (35%) only 4 showed complete neurological recovery. Chronic low back pain was rarely observed (n=8, 7%) and only in type C injuries. The low incidence of chronic low back pain justifies conservative treatment of minimally (<1 cm) displaced sacral fractures. Long-term outcome is largely determined by neurological deficits, which persist in 30% of all patients with sacral fractures.