The outcome of open pelvic fractures in the modern era (original) (raw)

2005, The American Journal of Surgery

Background: Recent series have reported that the mortality rate of open pelvic fractures has decreased to Ͻ10%. These injuries are often associated with intra-abdominal visceral damage, although few series have documented the prognostic significance of this injury complex. Methods: A retrospective review in an urban level I trauma center of all patients who sustained open pelvic fracture between 1995 and 2004. Results: Forty-four patients were identified as having sustained open pelvic fracture. Average Injury Severity Score was 30, with 77% of patients having a score Ն16. Overall mortality was 45% (n ϭ 20): 11 early deaths and 9 late deaths at an average of 17 days. Vertical shear injuries, although rare, were universally fatal. Other risk factors for overall mortality included revised trauma score, Injury Severity Score, transfusion requirement, Faringer zones I or II injury, Gustilo grade III soft tissue injury, need for therapeutic angiography, and presence of intra-abdominal injury, the latter of which conferred 89% mortality. Risk factors for late deaths also included pelvic sepsis, which occurred in 5 patients and was fatal in 3 (60%).

Sign up for access to the world's latest research.

checkGet notified about relevant papers

checkSave papers to use in your research

checkJoin the discussion with peers

checkTrack your impact