Anterior versus posterior pin placement of pelvic C-clamp in relationship to anatomical structures: a cadaver study.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to compare anterior and posterior pin placement of the pelvic C-clamp with specific reference to the proximity of the sciatic nerve, sciatic notch, hip joint capsule, and superior gluteal neurovascular bundle.


METHODS
The pelvic C-clamp (Synthes, Paoli, PA) was applied to eight extracted pelvic specimens and five full cadavers (26 hips in total). Anterior and posterior pin placements were measured in relationship to the described anatomical structures.


RESULTS
In 100% of the hips the distance from the posterior pin to the hip joint capsule was in 21 (80.8%), 23 (88.5%), and 20 (76.9%) of the hips, the anterior pin distances were greater than the posterior pin distances to the sciatic nerve, sciatic notch, and superior gluteal neurovascular bundle, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Anterior pin placement is further from all anatomical structures studies with the exception of the hip joint capsule. The posterior pin was closer to the sciatic nerve, sciatic notch, and superior gluteal neurovascular bundle in all cases. Clinical decision-making for C-clamp placement should be individualised on a case-by-case basis.
School of Medicine, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Louisville, 210 E. Gray Street, Louisville, KY 40202, USA. jhreyn04@gwise.louisville.edu
Jason H
JH
Reynolds
Basem
B
Attum
Robert J
RJ
Acland
Peter
P
Giannoudis
Craig S
CS
Roberts
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001858:Bone Nails; D002102:Cadaver; D005260:Female; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010384:Pelvic Bones / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D010388:Pelvis / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology