Displaced fractures of the major pelvis: a method of management.
Fractures of the bony pelvis occur with such violence that associated non-musculo-skeletal injury is common. The patients require an aggressive team approach if they are to leave the hospital alive. After the visceral injuries are treated, the bony pelvis should be aligned to minimize secondary sacroiliac arthritis. Following initial pelvic sling management, the reduction of these fractures is accomplished by using the Keim-Surcingle table coupled with a pantaloon spica cast to maintain the reduction. The patient is then managed by bedrest at home until 12 weeks post-injury at which time the plaster is removed and ambulation is progressed as tolerated. The pubic diastasis may increase if plaster immobilization is discontinued too early. We hope that an aggressive initial evaluation and team approach coupled with this method of reduction and immobilization will decrease significantly the mortality and morbidity associated with displaces fractures of the major pelvis.
D000328:Adult; D002370:Casts, Surgical; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010384:Pelvic Bones / Q000293:injuries*; D014143:Traction