Management and outcome of open pelvic fractures: a retrospective study of 41 cases

Background

Open pelvic fractures occur uncommonly. Despite serious sequelae, they have been infrequently reviewed.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective review of all patients with open pelvic fractures in our department from January 2001 to April 2010.

Results

Forty-one patients (32 men, 9 women) with these injuries were identified. The average Injury Severity Score (ISS) was 31.4, with 80% of patients having a score ≥16. The average blood transfusion in the first 24 h was 17.2 units, and the average hospital stay was 60 days. Overall mortality was 24%(n = 10): 3 early deaths and 7 late deaths. Factors associated with overall mortality by univariate analysis were ISS, RTS, GCS, age, pelvic sepsis, Gustilo classification of soft-tissue injury, and Young classification of bony fracture. Factors associated with late mortality by univariate analysis were: ISS, RTS, pelvic sepsis, Gustilo classification of soft-tissue injury, and blood transfusion in the first 24 h. Moreover, multivariate analysis showed that only RTS was independently associated with both overall and late mortality.

Conclusion

Despite treatment advances, mortality rates remain high in patients with open pelvic fractures. The urogenital and/or intra-abdominal injuries are not associated with mortality. RTS ≤ 8 might be a predictor of poor outcome in open pelvic fractures patients. Open reduction and internal fixation might be used in those unstable pelvic fractures without gross contamination in the fracture region after extensive cleansing and lavage. More emphasis needs to be placed on this injury complex.