The early management of pelvic and acetabular fractures.
One hundred consecutive referrals with pelvic and acetabular fractures treated over a three year period were reviewed with regard to their early management. Early management was subdivided into four areas: 1. initial assessment and treatment; 2. imaging; 3. referral; 4. management of associated injuries. The cases comprised 26 pelvic fractures (18 treated operatively), 69 acetabular fractures (50 treated operatively), and 5 combination fractures (3 treated operatively). Guidelines were laid down in each of the four areas of management and each patient's management was compared with this ideal. 56% of cases had deficient management by our criteria. There were important failures in diagnosis and early treatment of these complex injuries. A set of simple guidelines is offered to help improve the situation.
Ward
D A
DA
Kingston Hospital, Kingston-Upon-Thames, Surrey.
Bircher
M D
MD
D000077:Acetabulum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000379:methods*; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010384:Pelvic Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D011859:Radiography