title: Multisegmental open sacral fracture due to impalement: a case report.
abstract: We report on an unusual impalement injury to the sacrum in a 15-year-old adolescent patient. This open pelvic fracture resulted in a shattered sacrum with neurologic impairment including clinically absent anal sphincter tone and perineal sensation. Early debridement, wound revision, neural decompression, fracture reduction, and stable fixation using lumbopelvic fixation according to the principles of triangular osteosynthesis resulted in a favorable outcome with primary wound healing, return of bowel and bladder control, as well as immediate patient mobilization.
authors.affiliation: Chirurgische Klinik und Poliklinik, BG-Kliniken Bergmannsheil, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bürkle-de-la-Camp-Platz 1, D-44789 Bochum, Germany. thomas.a.schildhauer@ruhr-uni-bochum.de
authors.forename: Thomas A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Schildhauer
authors.forename: Jens R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Chapman
authors.forename: Keith A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Mayo
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls; D000293:Adolescent; D002420:Cauda Equina / Q000293:injuries; D003646:Debridement; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000379:methods*; D018460:Fractures, Comminuted / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D011859:Radiography; D012447:Sacrum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D014945:Wound Healing; D014950:Wounds, Penetrating / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology*