Novel approach for disruption of pubic symphysis

The worldwide leading cause of death in the younger population is trauma. Road accidents and falls from great heights often result in life threatening pelvic injuries, e.g. disruption of the pubic symphysis, a joint-like connection of the pubic bones located at the anterior pelvic ring, leading to gapping and instability and presenting a great challenge in orthopaedic traumatology. The current standard is stabilization by symphyseal plating. A steel plate and screws are used to rejoin and fix the pubic symphysis but the technique is often insufficient to neutralize motion related forces at the pubic symphysis. Early implant failure like screw loosening and plate fracture are therefore common complications accompanied by recurrent pelvic instability. Affected patients require revision surgery to re-fixate the pubic symphysis.

The first component are two u-shaped steel clamps, which are firmly attached to the bone with the help of a screw in the pubic bone branch. The second component is a braided steel wire. The clamps in combination with the braided steel wire serve as a cerclage to hold the pubic bone branches together and stabilize the anterior pelvic ring. Two u-shaped clamp designs are characterized by different guiding structures for the steel cable. Hereby the steel cable can be place around the pubic symphysis or at another position anterior.

• Fewer to no complications expected compared to conventional steel plate approach
• Less invasive surgical approach and shorter surgical intervention
• Applicable in primary treatment or revision cases
• Opportunity for personalized implants using CT scans and 3D-printing

TRL Level 4