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Trends and efficacy of external emergency stabilization of pelvic ring fractures: results from the German Pelvic Trauma Registry

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Abstract

Purpose

External emergency stabilization (EES) of unstable pelvic fractures reduces haemorrhage and mortality. Available are non-invasive procedures (sheet sling and pelvic binder) and invasive procedures (external fixator and pelvic C-clamp). Nevertheless, there is no recommended standard as to which procedure for EES should be used.

Methods

Prospectively collected data between 2007 and 2016 from the German Pelvic Trauma Registry were used to evaluate 989 patients with in-hospital EES. Besides age, gender and injury severity score (ISS), the fracture classification was evaluated. Furthermore, the frequency of used EES, time to application, their reported efficacy and the frequencies of change to another EES were investigated.

Results

The use of pelvic binders increased up to 40% while all other procedures decreased in frequency over the 10-year period. The ISS was highest in patients treated with a pelvic C-clamp or combination of pelvic C-clamp and external fixator (p < 0.05). Non-invasive stabilization was applied significantly faster than invasive procedures (p < 0.0001). Overall, the reported efficacy was good (at least 70%) for all procedures but with poorest results for the pelvic binder and best for the external fixator (p < 0.00001). Most change to another EES was found for the sheet sling and pelvic binder.

Conclusion

In case of suspected unstable pelvic fracture, an EES should be performed, in case of doubt with a non-invasive EES until imaging and final diagnosis. Which method should be used depends on the individual situation and the available information about the overall injury pattern. Invasive EES are preferable for treatment according to Damage Control Orthopaedics.

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Author information

Author notes

  1. Andreas Höch and Suzanne Zeidler have contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedics, Trauma and Plastic Surgery, University of Leipzig, Liebigstrasse 20, 04103, Leipzig, Germany

    Andreas Höch, Suzanne Zeidler, Philipp Pieroh & Christoph Josten

  2. Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany

    Philipp Pieroh

  3. Department of Trauma Surgery, BG Trauma Centre Murnau, Professor Küntscher Str. 8, 82418, Murnau, Germany

    Fabian M. Stuby

  4. Department of Trauma, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, Saarland University Hospital, Building 57, Kirrbergerstr. 1, 66421, Homburg, Germany

    Steven C. Herath

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  1. Andreas Höch
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German Pelvic Trauma Registry

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Correspondence to Andreas Höch.

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Höch, A., Zeidler, S., Pieroh, P. et al. Trends and efficacy of external emergency stabilization of pelvic ring fractures: results from the German Pelvic Trauma Registry. Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg 47, 523–531 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00068-019-01155-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00068-019-01155-9

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