Patient-reported Outcome in Surgically Treated Pelvic Ring Injuries at 5 Years Post-surgery

Epidemiology and patient-reported measurement outcome of pelvic fractures in children and adolescents - A population-based cohort study from the Swedish fracture register

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Pediatric pelvic fractures are uncommon, representing 0.2-3% of total pediatric fractures. The long-term patient-reported outcome in the pediatric population has not been evaluated yet. The purpose of the study was to describe the epidemiology of pelvic and acetabular fractures in pediatric patients including long-term patient-reported outcomes.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The Swedish Fracture Register (SFR) was used to identify all patients aged 6-17 years at injury with a pelvic fracture between 2015 and 2021. All patients were invited to answer Patient-Reported measurement instruments in 2021.

RESULTS

The study cohort consisted of 223 patients with a median age at fracture of 15 years and with 62 % boys. 201 sustained a pelvic and 22 acetabular fractures. Falls were the leading cause of fracture, followed by transport accidents. Most fractures (both pelvis and acetabulum) were type A (73 %), and 21 fractures (9 %) could not be classified according to AO. 85 % of fractures were treated non-surgically. All Type C fractures were treated surgically. Seven PROMIS® profile domains were completed by 31 % of the sample at a mean follow-up time of 3.5 years after pelvic/acetabular fracture. Most patients had "no concern" or "mild concern" but those who had surgery had an inferior t-score in most domains.

CONCLUSION

Most fractures occurred in older individuals, with falls during sports activities being the most common cause. This raises important questions about prevention strategies. The PROMIS-Pain-Interference scale indicated that the younger the age at fracture, the more pain was reported at follow-up.

Quality of Life from Return to Work and Sport Activities to Sexual Dysfunction after Surgical Treatment of Pelvic Ring Fractures

BACKGROUND

Pelvic ring fractures are life-threatening injuries that have a severe impact on patients' lives. The aim of this clinical study was to evaluate the outcome of surgical treatment in terms of Quality of Life (QoL), return to work, functional results and sport activities, and post-operative sexual dysfunction.

METHODS

A retrospective study with patients retrieved from a Level 1 Trauma Center was performed. Minimum patient follow-up was 12 months: QoL was evaluated with the SF-12 (Short Form Survey) questionnaire, return to work with the Workplace Activity Limitation Survey (WALS), functional outcomes and sport activities with the Harris Hip Score and Tegner activity score, respectively, and sexual function damage with a 0-10 NRS.

RESULTS

Seventy-six patients (41 males and 35 females) were enrolled, with a mean age at surgery of 56.4 years (18-89 years). Overall, their quality of life remained significantly affected, with male patients reporting worse WALS outcomes (p = 0.036), sexual damage (p = 0.001), and SF-12 Bodily Pain (p = 0.046) than females. In particular, 70.7% of men and 45.7% of women reported sexual limitations, and only 53.7% returned to their job, with 35.2% losing their job as a consequence of the pelvic ring disruption.

CONCLUSIONS

An important deterioration in general health state, return to work, and sexual function was documented in patients treated surgically for pelvic trauma, especially in male patients. There are disabling secondary sequels at all levels beyond the mere functional scores, and both patients and clinicians should be aware and have the correct expectations.

Revisiting Non-operative Treatment of Lateral Compression Pelvic Fractures, Analysis of Rehabilitation, and Radiologic Outcomes in a Historical Cohort Using Today's Association of Osteosynthesis (AO) Stability Criteria

BACKGROUND

Type I lateral compression pelvic fractures (LC-I) have historically been treated conservatively. Inferior outcomes in a distinctive subset of these injuries have been reported, therefore their management has shifted towards surgery. Revisiting the historical series of LC-I allows us to determine whether non-operative management of these unstable patterns results in poorer outcomes. The objective was to evaluate the differences in the rehabilitation progress, fracture consolidation, and displacement in non-operatively treated LC-I fractures that would be considered unstable using today's Association of Osteosynthesis (AO) criteria.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective review of conservatively treated LC-I injuries in a single-level I trauma center between June 2010 and June 2014. Patients were distributed in stable (group A) and unstable (group B) groups according to the 2018 AO classification. Time to walk independently (TWI), time to return to work (TRW), fracture consolidation, and displacement were analyzed.

RESULTS

34 patients, mean age of 45.5 ±14.5 years, were included. Mean TWI in groups A and B were 71.2 ±31.9 and 105.9 ±50.9 days (p=0.027). Mean TRW was 106 ±51.3 and 157 ±84 days in groups A and B, respectively (p=0.038). A difference in mean TWI and TRW of 34.7 and 51.3 days between groups was observed. No significant differences in fracture consolidation or displacement were observed.

CONCLUSION

Unstable fractures presented significantly longer TWI and TRW. The revised AO classification contributes to the identification of fracture patterns that correlate with prolonged rehabilitation in which additional treatment strategies might be considered.

Quantifying Urinary and Sexual Dysfunction After Pelvic Fracture

OBJECTIVES

To quantify the severity of urinary and sexual dysfunction and to evaluate the relationship between urinary and sexual dysfunction, injury, and treatment factors in patients with pelvic fracture.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study.

SETTING

Level 1 trauma center.

PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS

One hundred thirteen patients with surgically treated pelvic fracture (65.5% OTA/AO 61B fractures; 7 open fractures; 74 men).

INTERVENTIONS

Surgical pelvic stabilization.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The 36-Item Short Form Health Survey and International Consultation Incontinence Questionnaire responses were collected at baseline, 6 months, and 1, 2, and 5 years. Patients were scored on symptoms of voiding and incontinence, and filling (for women), to derive urinary function. Sexual function was scored as a single domain. Both genders reported urinary and sexual bothersome symptoms. Regression analysis was used to isolate the importance of predictive factors on urinary and sexual function, urinary and sexual bother, and their impact on quality of life.

RESULTS

Patients with pelvic fracture have significant urinary and sexual dysfunction, which is sustained or worsens over time. Male urinary function was predicted by Injury Severity Score (P = 0.03) and 61C fracture (odds ratio: 3.23, P = 0.04). Female urinary function was predicted by urinary tract injury at admission (odds ratio: 7.57, P = 0.03). Neurologic injury and anterior fixation were identified as significant predictors for male sexual function and sexual bother, whereas urological injuries were important in predicting female urinary and sexual bother (P < 0.01). Sexual function (P = 0.02) and sexual bother (P < 0.001) were important predictors of overall mental well-being in men.

CONCLUSIONS

Urinary and sexual dysfunction are prevalent and sustained in men and women and do not follow the prolonged slow recovery trajectory seen in physical function. Male urinary and sexual dysfunction was closely tied to neurologic injury, whereas female urinary and sexual dysfunction was predicted by the presence of a urinary tract injury. Urinary and sexual dysfunction were important to overall mental well-being in men.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Prognostic Level II. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.