Comparison of the operation safety and biomechanical stability of sacral alar-iliac vs. sacroiliac screws in the fixation of sacroiliac joint in simulated models of low bone density.

BACKGROUND

Sacral alar-iliac screws (SAISs) have been used for sacroiliac joint and are superiority to traditional sacroiliac screws (SISs) in patients with low bone density. The aim of this study was to investigate the operation safety and biomechanical stability of the SIS, transsacral-transiliac screw (TSTIS), S1AIS and S2AIS in the treatment of sacroiliac joint in simulated models of low bone density.

METHODS

CT data from 80 normal pelvic structures were employed to measure the anatomical parameters, including the safety zones of the S1AIS and S2AIS at the insertion point and the trajectory lengths of the SIS, TSTIS, S1AIS and S2AIS. Sixteen synthetic pelvises with simulated osteoporotic bone structure were used to simulate type C Tile lesions and divided into 4 groups with an anterior plate and posterior fixation using one of the following: 1) one SIS on each side, 2) one TSTIS fixing both sides, 3) one S1AIS on each side, or 4) one S2AIS on each side. The stiffness and maximum load of the specimens were analyzed using a biomechanical machine under vertical loading.

RESULTS

The safety zone of S1AIS was larger than that of S2AIS (p < 0.05). The TSTIS had the largest trajectory length, followed by the S1AIS and S2AIS, and the SIS had the smallest trajectory length (p < 0.05). However, the lengths of the TSTIS (26.1 ± 1.7 mm) and SIS (27.8 ± 1.8 mm) trajectories on the short side (the iliac side) were smaller than those of S1AIS (40.4 ± 3.8 mm) and S2AIS (39.1 ± 3.8 mm), thus indicating significant differences (p < 0.05). The stiffness and maximum load of S1AIS and S2AIS were similar and the greatest, followed by TSTIS and SIS (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The stability of S1AIS and S2AIS is similar, both stronger than that of SIS and TSTIS, which have shorter lengths of the screw trajectories on the ilium side. However, the safety zone of S2AIS at the insertion point is smaller than that of S1AIS. Therefore, considering both safety and stability, S1AIS is the preferred choice for fixation of sacroiliac joint dislocation in simulated models of low bone density.