[Use of the "c-clamp" in the emergency treatment of unstable pelvic fractures].
It was the objective of this investigation to describe the results after stabilisation of pelvic fractures with the pelvic clamp in polytraumatized patients with unstable pelvic ring fractures.


METHODS
Between 1999 and 2001 11 polytraumatized patients with an average age of 38 years with unstable fractures of the pelvic ring were treated with the "pelvic clamp" (PC).


METHODS
The patient's data were analysed retrospectively from the moment they were admitted to our department until 48 hours after the treatment with the pelvic clamp. The following data were observed: -- The time period until the pelvic clamp was placed. -- The mean blood pressure. -- The oxygenation level (PaO (2)/FiO (2) coefficient). -- The number of requested blood units. -- The time period until hemodynamic stabilisation took place.


RESULTS
8 patients survived their injuries. 5 of them were admitted primarily to our department (ISS 39.8, PTS 35), the other 3 were secondarily admitted to our department (ISS 48.3, PTS 39). 3 of 11 patients (27 %) died averaged within the first 45 minutes after admittance. They also were treated in other units before admittance to our department. 8 surviving patients showed -- a hemodynamic stabilisation 6 hours after the treatment with the PC. -- an increase of the mean blood pressure about 25 % 20 minutes after the treatment with the PC. -- a stabilisation of the oxygenation level 6 hours after the treatment with the PC. -- a decrease of the number of requested blood units 6 hours after treatment with the PC.


CONCLUSIONS
Even if the number of patients who were treated is small, the study shows a positive trend in terms of stabilisation of the vital parameters after stabilisation of the pelvic fracture with the pelvic clamp.
Tiemann
A H
AH
Klinik und Poliklinik für Unfall- und Wiederherstellungschirurgie der Universität Leipzig AöR. tiemann_andreas@yahoo.de
Schmidt
C
C
Gonschorek
O
O
Josten
C
C
D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D001794:Blood Pressure; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D004630:Emergencies; D016267:External Fixators; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D010384:Pelvic Bones / Q000293:injuries*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors
D010100:Oxygen