Haemorrhage from pelvic fractures: dangers and treatment.
A simple, non-invasive method of control of haemorrhage from severe fractures of the pelvis is described. This method is the application of a pneumatic splint from the costal margin to the toes; the splint is then inflated to a pressure of 30 cm of water. The splint was originally designed for the control of leaking aortic aneurysms. We have applied it to 4 patients with severe fractures of the pelvis. There was dramatic improvement in 2 of these patients in whom the bleeding had continued in spite of energetic initial resuscitation.
D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D005597:Fractures, Open / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010384:Pelvic Bones / Q000293:injuries*; D013165:Splints / Q000009:adverse effects