Biomechanical Tests and Finite Element Analyses of Pelvic Stability using Bilateral Single Iliac Screw with Different Channels in Lumbo-iliac Fixation
Authors: Sun Yangyang , Fu Ying , Liu Fanxiao , Ma Huanzhi , Zhang Wen , Li Qinghu , Zhou Dongsheng , Fu Baisheng 
Published: November 2021

Background: In lumbo-iliac fixation, the iliac screw can be placed in a number of locations and directions, and multiple screws can be placed to enhance the fixation effect. At present, there is no uniform standard for the placement of single iliac screw. Biomechanical tests and finite element analyses were used to compare the effect of bilateral single iliac screw with three channels on pelvic stability in lumbo-iliac fixation, so as to provide a basis for determining the best single iliac screw channel.Methods: Five adult embalmed cadaver pelvic specimens were selected. Unstable Tile C1 pelvic injury model (pubic symphysis separation and left sacral Denis II fracture) was established. The pubic symphysis was fixed with five-hole reconstruction plate. Lumbo-iliac fixation for the treatment of pelvic posterior ring injury: three channels of bilateral single iliac screw (channel A from PSIS to AIIS, channel B from 1 cm medial and 1 cm caudal of PSIS to AIIS, channel C from 2 cm below PSIS to AIIS). At the same time, the finite element model of unstable pelvic posterior ring injury treated with lumbo-iliac fixation was established, which were used to analyze and explore the effect of bilateral single iliac screw with three channels on the biomechanical stability of the pelvis, including the stress distribution and the maximum Von Mises stress of internal fixation, vertebral body and ilium.Results: Biomechanical tests revealed that under vertical compression load, the compressive stiffness of pelvic specimens fixed with three channels of bilateral single iliac screw was lower than that of complete pelvic specimens (P < 0.05). The vertical displacement fixed by channel B was smaller than that fixed by channel A and channel C; however, there was no significant difference between channel B and channel A (P > 0.05). The compressive stiffness fixed by channel B was better than that fixed by channel A and channel C. Under torsional load, the torsional stiffness fixed by channel B was stronger than that fixed by channel A and channel C. Finite element analyses conformed that the maximum Von Mises stress of the internal fixator fixed in channel B under the conditions of vertical, forward bending, backward extension, left bending, left rotating and right bending were significantly lower than that fixed in channel A and channel C. Under various working conditions, the maximum Von Mises stress of the internal fixture of channel B was less than that of channel A. In terms of the maximum Von Mises stress of the vertebral body and iliac, compared with the other two iliac screw channels, the overall stress distribution fixed by channel B was more reasonable.Conclusions: Bilateral single iliac screw with three channels in lumbo-iliac fixation could effectively restore pelvic stability. The construct stiffness of the channel from 1cm medial and 1cm caudal of PSIS to AIIS is better than that of the other two channels. This channel has the advantages of good biomechanical stability, reasonable stress distribution, small maximum Von Mises stress of internal fixation, strong fatigue resistance and not easy to break screws and robs.