title: The role of external fixation in pelvic disruptions.
abstract: External fixation has a definite role in the management of pelvic fractures. Biomechanically, it is not useful for maintaining reduction of the unstable, vertically migrating pelvis and must be used with some other form of treatment, such as traction, spica cast, or internal fixation. In vertically stable fractures, that is, rotationally unstable fractures, the anteroposterior and lateral compression injuries, the external fixator should probably be the first course of treatment.
authors.affiliation: Division of Orthopaedics, Sunnybrook Medical Centre, City of North York, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Kellam
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010384:Pelvic Bones / Q000293:injuries*; D012189:Retrospective Studies