Outcome in Pelvic Ring Fractures

Pelvic ring fractures represent a negative prognostic factor for what concerns morbidity and mortality of a polytraumatized patient. The subjective and functional prognosis of a pelvic ring fracture is dependent upon its degree of instability. Associated severe peripelvic soft tissue injuries and neurovascular lesions (complex pelvic trauma) affect outcome negatively. Although high rates of anatomic reduction and stable fixation have been achieved in recent years, only 60% of patients have an excellent or good clinical result. Sequelae of neurologic lesions and genitorurinary injuries are typically associated with considerable rates of persistent functional impairment. Chronic pain and disability are often very difficult to treat. Health-related quality of life and life satisfaction after pelvic ring fractures caused by high-energy trauma is substantially lower when compared to a reference population.