Extra-articular Portion of the Sacroiliac Joint-Between the Sacral and Pelvic Tuberosities: An Anatomical Guide for the S2-Alar-Iliac Screw Trajectory

Study Design: A novel technique for S2-alar-iliac (S2AI) screw placement was analyzed. Objectives: Accurate confirmation of the S2AI screw trajectory with free-hand techniques is not simple, although some anatomical landmarks have been reported. To overcome the drawback, we aimed to introduce our technique for S2AI screw placement assisted with a guidewire using a new anatomical landmark. Methods: A total of 104 S2AI screws of 52 patients who underwent S2AI screw placement were investigated. Navigation software was used to simulate S2AI screw placement preoperatively. Screw placement was performed with the nonfluoroscopic free-hand technique. In this technique, a guidewire is inserted into the ilium from the extra-articular portion of the sacroiliac joint just lateral to the ideal screw entry point toward the tip of the greater trochanter and guides the screw trajectory. If the direction of the guidewire is satisfactory, all procedures of screw insertion are performed accordingly. The screw accuracy was assessed with computed tomography. Results: The modal size of the screw was 9.5 mm x 90 mm. The average horizontal angle was 42.0 degrees (SD = 5.1 degrees) on the right and 40.7 degrees (SD = 4.7 degrees) on the left. Of the 104 screws, 4 screws (3.9%) breached dorsally. No screw-related complication was observed. Conclusions: Because the guidewire can be inserted at an angle according to the individual morphology of the sacroiliac joint, it will be a reliable guide for the screw trajectory. This technique with a guidewire would help improve the accuracy of S2AI screw placement.

Automated summary

The study analyzed a novel technique for S2AI screw placement assisted with a guidewire, showing high accuracy in screw placement assessed by computed tomography. The results demonstrated that the use of the guidewire improved the accuracy of S2AI screw placement with minimal complications.