OBJECTIVETo study therapeutic effects of early stage operation for type I sacral fracture accompanied by neurological damage.

METHODSTwelve patients with type II sacral fracture accompanied by neurological damage were reviewed in the study from March 2008 to March 2010, including 8 males and 4 females. Final diagnosis was given according to the evaluation of physical examination, X-ray, CT and MRI. Operations were performed 6 to 14 days after injury, averaged 9 days. According to Denis classification of sacral fracture, 12 patients were Type H . Eight patients suffered from severe anterior sacral foramen transformation with invasion of fragments on nerve root were treated with decompression, open reduction and internal fixation. Other 4 patients were treated with open reduction and internal fixation.

RESULTSDuring the following-up period, ranging from 6 to 24 months, all the patients attained bony union and 11 patients got nerve function recovery to different degrees. According to criterion of Gibbons, the average preoperative score was (1.50 +/- 0.67); the average postoperative score was(2.67 +/- 0.49); there were statistically significant differences in the above index between preoperation and postoperation (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONEarly stage operation for type II sacral fracture accompanied by neurological damage usually achieves satisfactory results.