ObjectiveTo investigate the distance between the screw-out point and the middle sacral artery, and evaluate the safety when the S1 pedicle screw placed by the three cortical fixation techniques.MethodsFrom March to June 2018, randomized CT scan data of 98 adult pelvic angiography were selected to measure the distance from the middle sacral artery to the anterior edge of the vertebral body (a) and the distance from the middle sacral artery to the midline of the vertebral body (b). S1 screw entry point was set as the intersection of lines where extension of S1 facet joint inferior margin and lateral margin cross over. Introversion angles of 10, 15, 20, and 25° were used; the distance between the screw insertion point and the middle sacral artery (d) was measured.ResultsThe middle sacral artery was usually located on the left side of the upper endplate plane of S1. The distance a was (5.40±2.95) mm in 49 males and (4.43±2.32) mm in 49 females, and the difference between the males and females was not statistically significant (t=1.818, P=0.72). The distance b was (12.07±5.42) mm in 45 males and (14.12±4.88) mm in 48 females, and the difference between the males and females was not statistically significant (t=–1.914, P=0.59). The distance d was (12.67±6.00), (9.40±5.17), (7.50±3.76), and (8.10±3.64) mm when the nail was placed at a common internal inclination of 10, 15, 20, and 25°. The differences in the distance d at a common internal inclination of 10° vs. 15°, 10° vs. 20°, 10° vs. 25°, and 15° vs. 20° were all statistically significant (t=16.828, 11.609, 6.073, 6.254; P<0.008 3); there was no statistically significant difference in that at 15°vs. 25°, or 20° vs. 25° (t=2.034, –1.723; P>0.05).ConclusionBy analyzing the relationship between the middle sacral artery and the upper endplate plane of the S1 vertebra, the risk of middle artery injury is small while the biomechanical stability of the screw is increased when using the Lenham method.
