Maximum Sacral Alar Width and Its Implications on Morphometry of Sacral Vestibule: A Plain CT Based Study in North West Indian Population

Background: The present study was carried to understand and analyze the maximum sacral alar width and its implications on morphometry of sacral vestibule using plain computerized tomography in north western part of India, which will aid in pre operative planning to fix the posterior pelvic wall fractures with percutaneous screws in closed manner, thereby decreasing the dangers of open reduction and internal fixation.

Methods: This study was carried in the Department of Orthopaedics and Radiology at Dr Rajendra Prasad Govt. Medical College, Kangra at Tanda in one year. All the patients of the aged 18 years and more who came to the institute for either abdominal, pelvic and spinal pathology and presented to the Department of Radiology for computerized tomography, were included in the study.

Results: Alar width ranged from 25.0 to 36.0 with a mean value of 30.39±3.41. Alar width was not significantly different between age-groups. There was a weak relation between alar width and age-groups 18-30 years (r=0.069; P=0.388), 31-40 years (r=0.031; P=0.788), 41-50 years (r=-0.066; P=0.488), 51-60 years (r=-0.066; P=0.330), and >60 years (r=-0.075; P=0.816). Alar width was non-significantly (P=0.271) higher in males in comparison to females. There existed non-significant relation of Alar width (r=0.038; P=0.347) with interspinous distance. There was found non-significant relation of Alar width (r=0.072; P=0.077) with height.

Conclusion: This study, is the first of its type in North Western part of India which will aid in preoperative planning to fix posterior pelvic wall fractures with percutaneous screws and thereby lessens the dangers of open reduction and internal fixation.