title: Spondylopelvic dissociation.
abstract: Spondylopelvic dissociation is a complex injury pattern resulting in multiplanar instability of the lumbopelvis. These injuries have traditionally been known as "suicide jumper's fractures" and have recently increased in prevalence as a result of under-vehicle explosions seen in the past decade of military conflicts in the Middle East. The hallmarks of spondylopelvic dissociation are bilateral vertical sacral fractures with a horizontal component, resulting in lumbosacral instability in the sagittal and axial planes. Surgical treatment has evolved greatly and both percutaneous and open options are available, with triangular osteosynthesis being the most relied on method of fixation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19143, USA.
authors.forename: Matthew P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Sullivan
authors.forename: Harvey E
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: James M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Schuster
authors.forename: Derek
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Donegan
authors.forename: Samir
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mehta
authors.forename: Jaimo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ahn
mesh_terms: D017760:Bone Malalignment / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000379:methods; D019468:Disease Management; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010384:Pelvic Bones / Q000293:injuries / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D011843:Radiculopathy / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D012446:Sacroiliac Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D012447:Sacrum / Q000293:injuries / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000145:classification / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D015599:Trauma Severity Indices
keywords: Atypical sacral fracture; Lumbosacral dissociation; Polytrauma; Spinopelvic dissociation; Spondylopelvic dissociation; Transverse sacral fracture; Triangular osteosynthesis; U-type sacral fracture