title: Pelvic fractures associated with open perineal wounds: a survivable injury.
abstract: Blunt pelviperineal trauma has been associated with mortality rates of 32% to 58% in recent literature. A review of our institution's experience revealed a much lower mortality rate, prompting further investigation. Nine hundred-seventy five patients with pelvic fractures were admitted to our institution from July 1984 through June 1991. The mortality rate for all pelvic fractures was 7.3%. During this interval 21 patients (2.2%) were admitted with open pelvic fractures. Only one patient in this group died. Our low mortality figures were the result of better control of pelvic hemorrhage and sepsis, and a lower incidence of associated injuries to the head and thorax, representing a more favorable mechanism of injury.
authors.affiliation: Orlando Regional Medical Center, Florida 32806.
authors.forename: B S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Davidson
authors.forename: G T
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: Simmons
authors.forename: P R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Williamson
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Buerk
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005597:Fractures, Open / Q000150:complications* / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality; D010384:Pelvic Bones / Q000293:injuries*; D010502:Perineum / Q000293:injuries*; D012007:Rectum / Q000293:injuries*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality