Traumatic Injuries of the Pelvis

Trauma (Excluding Falls) in the Older Adult

Trauma in the older adult will increasingly become important to emergency physicians hoping to optimize their patient care. The geriatric patient population possesses higher rates of comorbidities that increase their risk for trauma and make their care more challenging. By considering the nuances that accompany the critical stabilization and injury-specific management of geriatric trauma patients, emergency physicians can decrease the prevalence of adverse outcomes.

Pelvic fractures in severely injured elderly: a double-adjustment propensity score matched analysis from a level I trauma center

Purpose

Pelvic trauma has increased risk of mortality in the elderly. Our study aimed to analyze the impact of the additional burden of pelvic fractures in severely injured elderly.

Methods

This is a retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained trauma registry from 2012 to 2018 at an American College of Surgeons (ACS) verified Level I Trauma Center. Trauma patients aged ≥ 65 years with ISS ≥ 16 and AIS severity score ≥ 3 in at least two body regions were divided in two groups: group I, consisted of elderly polytrauma patients without pelvic fractures, and group II elderly who had concomitant pelvic fractures. We used a double-adjustment method using propensity score matching (PSM) with subsequent covariate adjustment to minimize the effect of confounding factors, and give unbiased estimation of the impact of pelvic fractures. Balance assessment was conducted by computing absolute standardized mean differences (ASMDs) and ASMD < 0.10 reflects good balance between groups.

Results

Of 12,774 patients admitted during this time, 411 (3.2%) elderly with a mean age of 77.75 ± 8.32 years met the inclusion criteria. Of this cohort, only 92 patients (22.4%) had pelvic fractures. Females outnumbered males (55 vs. 45%). Comparing characteristics of group I and group II using ASMDs, pelvic trauma patients were more likely to have higher systolic blood pressure (SBP), head injuries, lower extremity injuries, anticoagulant therapy, and cirrhosis. Fewer variables differed significantly after matching. We observed few instances of worse outcomes associated with pelvic trauma using PSM with and without covariate adjustment. Crude PSM without covariate adjustment, showed a significantly higher rate of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) for pelvic trauma (p < 0.001). Crude PSM also showed a significantly higher rate of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in group II (p = 0.006). PSM with covariate adjustment did not confirm differences on these outcomes. PSM both without and with covariate adjustment found lower ventilator days and ICU length of stay among patients with pelvic trauma. No significant differences were seen on 12 outcomes: death, acute kidney injury (AKI), acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), cardiac arrest with cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), myocardial infarction (MI), pulmonary embolism (PE), unplanned intubation, unplanned admission to intensive care unit (ICU), catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI), and hospital length of stay.

Conclusions

At a Level I Trauma Center the additional burden of pelvic fractures in seriously injured elderly did not translate into higher mortality. PSM without covariate adjustment suggests worse rates among pelvic trauma patients for DVT and VAP but covariate adjustment removed statistical significance for both outcomes. Pelvic trauma patients had shorter time on ventilator and in the ICU. Whether similar analytic methods applied to patients from larger data sources would produce similar findings remains to be seen.

Management of Pelvic Ring Injury Patients With Hemodynamic Instability

Pelvic ring injuries (PRI) are among the most difficult injuries to deal with in orthopedic trauma. When these injuries are accompanied by hemodynamic instability their management becomes significantly more complex. A methodical assessment and expeditious triage are required for these patients followed by adequate resuscitation. A major triage decision is whether these patients should undergo arterial embolization in the angiography suit or prompt packing and pelvic stabilization in the operating room. Patient characteristics, fracture type and injury characteristics are taken into consideration in the decision-making process. In this review we discuss the acute evaluation, triage and management of PRIs associated with hemodynamic instability. An evidence based and protocol driven approach is necessary in order to achieve optimal outcomes in these patients.

A feasibility study of individual 3D-printed navigation template for the deep external fixator pin position on the iliac crest

Background

The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an individual navigation template for the deep pin position on the iliac crest, based on digital design and 3D printing technology.

Methods

The preoperative CT images of 8 patients with pelvic fractures were collected. The data were reconstructed using a 3D imaging reconstruction workstation. An individual navigation template for the deep pin position on the iliac crest was designed on a virtual 3D model. The individual drill template and the solid pelvic model were produced using the 3D printing technology. The individual drill template was used for intraoperative deep pin position on the iliac crest after the preoperative simulation was completed.

Results

Thirty-two external fixator pins were inserted using the individual drill template. The average depth of pins was 84.82 mm. The trajectories were appropriate based on the postoperative X-ray and CT scan. No significant difference in the entry point, convergence angle, and caudal angle of the pins were noted before and after the operation (all P > 0.05). Finite element analysis indicated that the deep external fixator pin position could more reasonably distribute the stress in the cortical and spongy bones in the pelvis. All patients could perform partial weight-bearing activity 6 weeks postoperatively. No loosening and rupture of the pin, infection, and no damage of blood vessels and nervous tissue were found during the entire follow-up period.

Conclusions

The individual drill template technique is an improvement of the traditional technique, which could increase precision and the depth of pin position. In addition, good mechanical stability and low risk of pin-related complications occurred due to the individual drill template, which makes the external fixation technique a potential alternative.