A novel approach to Roy-Camille type 2 sacral fracture: Percutaneous lumbopelvic fixation following manual hyperextension-assisted closed reduction

AI Summary

Manual hyperextension-assisted closed reduction achieved satisfactory realignment of a Roy-Camille type 2 sacral fracture without joystick manipulation or external fixation.
Percutaneous lumbopelvic fixation using bilateral L5 pedicle and iliac screws restored spinopelvic continuity and supported progressive neurological recovery without implant complications.
This safe, reproducible, resource efficient strategy may avoid open reduction and external fixation, offering a practical option in urgent trauma; further studies are warranted.

Trauma Case Rep. 2026 May 20;64:101367. doi: 10.1016/j.tcr.2026.101367. eCollection 2026 Aug.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Transverse sacral fractures with spinopelvic dissociation, commonly referred to as “suicidal jumper’s fractures” -particularly Roy-Camille type 2 injuries- represent a rare and unstable injury pattern frequently associated with neurological deficits. Surgical management typically requires complex reduction maneuvers and rigid fixation to restore spinopelvic continuity and optimize functional outcomes.

CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of an 18-year-old male who sustained a Roy-Camille type 2 sacral fracture following a high-energy motorcycle accident. Neurological examination revealed hypoesthesia in the S3-S5 dermatomes, absent bulbocavernosus reflex and loss of anal sphincter tone. Imaging demonstrated a transverse sacral fracture at the S2 level with posterior displacement of the cephalad segment. A novel closed reduction technique was performed prior to incision, involving simultaneous manual hyperextension at the lumbosacral junction and counter-traction through the extremities. This maneuver achieved satisfactory realignment without requiring joystick manipulation or external fixation. Percutaneous lumbopelvic fixation was subsequently applied using bilateral L5 pedicle and iliac screws. The patient experienced progressive neurological recovery without implant-related complications.

CONCLUSION: This case illustrates that manual hyperextension-assisted closed reduction -when combined with percutaneous lumbopelvic fixation- may serve as a safe, reproducible, and resource-efficient strategy for Roy-Camille type 2 sacral fractures. This technique eliminates the need for external fixation or open reduction, and may be particularly beneficial in urgent trauma scenarios. Further clinical studies are warranted to validate its applicability across broader patient populations and fracture morphologies.

PMID:42232474 | PMC:PMC13224014 | DOI:10.1016/j.tcr.2026.101367

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