The pelvic C-clamp for the emergency treatment of unstable pelvic ring injuries. A report on clinical experience of 30 cases.
An unstable pelvic ring injury was stabilized with the AO C-clamp in thirty multiply injured patients. The average ISS was 29 (19-57). Transfusions totalled 24 units of blood/fresh frozen plasma/platelets (0-117) on average. In 12 cases, the application was for an unstable fracture alone, in 18 patients there was an unstable haemodynamic situation in addition. The application was haemodynamically effective in 10 cases. In 66% of cases, the initial reduction was good and the anatomy of the pelvic ring was adequately restored. Ten patients (33%) died; five during the first hours after admission due to haemorrhagic shock; the remaining five from multiple organ failure, fat embolism and head injury. Definitive stabilization was accomplished after 4.5 days on average (0-15). Complications relating directly to the clamp did not occur. The application of the C-clamp has a clear place in the management of polytraumatized patients with linear unstable pelvic ring injuries.
Heini
P F
PF
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Berne, Switzerland.
Witt
J
J
Ganz
R
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016267:External Fixators; D005260:Female; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010384:Pelvic Bones / Q000293:injuries*; D016896:Treatment Outcome