title: Does surgically fixation of pubic fracture increase the stability of the operated posterior pelvis?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aims to investigate whether surgical treatment of pubic rami fractures increases the stability of the posterior pelvis.
  
  
  METHODS
  A finite element pelvic model with improved geometric and material characteristics was analyzed. By imitating a standing position, a type I Denis sacrum fracture and a unilateral pubis fracture, we measured the differences in tension and displacement. The posterior injury was treated with a direct plate synthesis or transsacral plate synthesis, while the pubis fracture was left without fixation or fixed with either a retrograde pubic screw or plate synthesis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The operative fixation of pubic rami fractures decreased the movement in the fracture gap not only at the site of the pubis fracture, but also at the site of the fixed sacrum fracture. The plate synthesis provided greater stability of the anterior fracture than the retrograde screw. The tensions in the implants were below the allowed values.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We concluded that surgically fixation of pubic fracture increases the stability of the operated posterior pelvis.
authors.affiliation: Trauma Centre, Péterfy Hospital, Fiumei str. 17. H-1081 Budapest, Hungary. bodzaytamas@freemail.hu.
authors.forename: Tamás
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bodzay
authors.forename: Gergely
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sztrinkai
authors.forename: Sándor
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pajor
authors.forename: Tamás
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gál
authors.forename: Zoltán
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Jónás
authors.forename: Péter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Erdös
authors.forename: Károly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Váradi
mesh_terms: D001860:Bone Plates; D001863:Bone Screws; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D011630:Pubic Bone / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D012447:Sacrum / Q000293:injuries*; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000601:surgery*