Stable pelvis fracture is easily treated by conservative treatment with little complication. Unstable pelvic ring fracture, however, is difficult to manage due to various problems. Conservative treatment is rarely indicated because prolonged traction and immobilization often lead to life-threatening complications. The malunion produces pain, limb length discrepancy and eventually poor life quality, Surgical stabilization can help easy care of patients, early mobilization and diminish the morbidity.

This study is to present the clinical results of two kinds of metal fixations using seven transiliac bars and four percutaneous sacral screws for the surgical stabilization of the unstable pelvic ring fractures. Total eleven cases had been operated by the authors at Geyong-Sang national hospital from August 1991 to April 1994. They were eight male and three female patients of average forty one years in age(range, eighteen to sixty two years). The average duration of follow-up was thirty one months(range, twenty to fifty three months).

All cases of sacral screw fixations revealed satisfactory results both at clinical and radiological aspects. Out of seven cases of transiliac bar fixation, there were two cases of minor infection and three cases of painful and palpable hardware requiring removal, especially in thin patients. The results confirm that sacral screw is better tolerated by thin patients in spite of risk of temporary entrapment of sacral cutaneous nerves.