title: Compound fractures of the pelvis.
abstract: A retrospective study of sixteen patients with pelvic fractures compounded through the perineum, rectum, or vagina showed a mortality of 50 per cent. The cause of death in seven of the eight patients was sepsis and multisystem failure. The initial surgical management of these patients must include complete diversion of the fecal stream so that pelvic and systemic sepsis may be prevented.
mesh_terms: D000007:Abdominal Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D003125:Colostomy; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000150:complications*; D005597:Fractures, Open / Q000150:complications*; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010384:Pelvic Bones / Q000293:injuries*; D012187:Retroperitoneal Space; D018805:Sepsis / Q000150:complications; D014566:Urogenital System / Q000293:injuries