Displaced anterior pelvic fracture on initial pelvic radiography predicts massive hemorrhage

The management of pelvic ring fractures in low-resource environments: review

Although improvement of pelvic trauma care has been successful in decreasing mortality rates in major trauma centers, such changes have not been implemented in low-resource environments such as low-middle-income countries (LMICs). This review details the evaluation and management of pelvic ring fractures and recommends improvements for trauma care in low-resource environments. Prehospital management revolves around basic life support techniques. Application of non-invasive pelvic circumferential compression devices, such as bed sheet or pelvic binders, can be performed as early as the scene of the accident. Upon arrival at the emergency department, rapid clinical evaluation and immediate resuscitation should be performed. Preperitoneal pelvic packing and external fixation devices have been considered as important first-line management tools to achieve bleeding control in hemodynamically unstable patients. After patient stabilization, immediate referral is mandated if the hospital does not have an orthopedic surgeon or facilities to perform complex pelvic/acetabular surgery. Telemedicine platforms have emerged as one of the key solutions for informing decision-making. However, unavailable referral systems and inaccessible transportation systems act as significant barriers in LMICs. Tendencies toward more "old-fashioned" protocols and conservative treatments are often justified especially for minimally displaced fractures. But when surgery is needed, it is important to visualize the fracture site to obtain and maintain a good reduction in the absence of intraoperative imaging. Minimizing soft tissue damage, reducing intraoperative blood loss, and minimizing duration of surgical interventions are vital when performing pelvic surgery in a limited intensive care setting.

Where and what arteries are most likely injured with pelvic fractures?: The Influence of Localization, Shape, and Fracture Dislocation on the Arterial Injury During Pelvic Fractures

Blood vessels passing through pelvic region come into intimate contact with pelvic bone and can be injured by the sharp edges of the dislocated fracture fragments. The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of localization, shape, and dislocation of individual pelvic ring bones' fractures on arterial injuries. The study group consisted of 474 patients enrolled in a 1-year prospective multicenter study. The pattern of pelvic fracture lines was characterized and recorded on a planar diagram of the subjected side of the pelvis. The diagram was subdivided into 11 designated areas. Frequency of injury at each 11 areas was recorded. The course of individual arteries in the 11 areas was also recorded in relation to each type of pelvic fractures. Out of the 474 investigated patients, the highest proportion of fractures occurred in the areas of the superior (62%) and inferior (59%) ramus of the pubis as well as in the lateral part of the sacrum (19%). These locations can be associated with injuries of the external iliac, obturator, internal iliac, and aberrant obturator arteries. The highest risk of arterial injuries was associated with vertically displaced fractures in the middle part of the superior and inferior pubic rami, along the ischial ramus, in the apex of the greater sciatic notch and in the vicinity of the ventral part of the sacroiliac joint, where the artery runs at a distance of less than 1 cm from the bone. Clin. Anat. 32:682-688, 2019. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.